| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09345489B2 |
Reaming device with carbon fiber shaft and molded interface element
A reaming device comprising a shaft with a mounting portion, the mounting portion having an outer surface; a carbon fiber layer located on the mounting portion outer surface; an injection molded interface element for mechanical coupling of an external device molded on the carbon fiber layer, the interface element having a mounting portion; wherein the carbon fiber layer extends over the outer surface of the shaft mounting portion and having an outer surface, wherein the carbon fiber layer outer surface has a non-smooth surface structure; wherein the injection molded interface element mounting portion is injection molded over the carbon fiber layer surface structure The method according to claim 12, further comprising preparing of shaft mounting portion before wrapping a carbon fiber layer for establishing a reliable connection between the shaft and the carbon fiber layer. |
| US09345488B2 |
Method of cutting tissue
A method of cutting tissue between a first bone and a second bone. An aperture is formed through the first bone. The aperture has a radius. An undercutting system is provided. The undercutting system includes a cutter. The undercutting system is extended into the aperture. The cutter is moved with respect to the undercutting system to an extended configuration where at least a portion of the cutter extends from the undercutting system. The cutter is used to cut tissue between the first bone and the second bone that is beyond the radius of the aperture. The undercutting system is removed from the aperture. |
| US09345483B1 |
Strap tie system
A strap tie assembly includes a first strap tie and a second strap tie. The first strap tie includes a first base, a first body including a first opening and a first engagement member disposed within the first opening, and a first strap extending from the first body. The first strap includes a plurality of movement restriction members disposed along a surface of the first strap. The second strap tie includes a second base, a second body including a second opening and a second engagement member disposed within the second opening, and a second strap extending from the second body. The first strap tie is configured to receive the second strap and prevent translation of the second strap away from the first body. The second strap tie is configured to receive the first strap and prevent translation of the first strap away from the second body. |
| US09345479B2 |
Surgical stapling apparatus
A surgical stapling apparatus is provided including a cartridge assembly defining a tissue contacting surface; an anvil assembly defining a tissue contacting surface; and a surgical buttress releasably secured to at least one of the tissue contacting surface of the cartridge assembly and the tissue contacting surface of the anvil assembly by at least one anchor. A loading unit is provided including a surgical buttress releasably secured to an anvil assembly and/or a staple cartridge secured thereto by at least one anchor, and a drive assembly including a knife blade, wherein movement of the drive assembly from a proximal position to a distal position results in the knife blade cutting the at least one anchor and freeing each surgical buttress from the anvil assembly and/or cartridge assembly. |
| US09345476B2 |
Tacking device and methods of deployment
The present embodiments provide apparatus and methods suitable for coupling a graft member to tissue, closing a bodily opening, and the like. In one embodiment, a tacking device comprises a wire having first and second ends, and further having delivery and deployed states. In the contracted state, the wire comprises an elongated configuration that is substantially parallel to a central longitudinal axis. In the expanded state, the wire comprises a head region and a body region, the head region comprising at least one full turn having a first diameter, and the body region comprising at least two full turns having a second diameter, wherein the first diameter is greater than the second diameter. One or more of the tacking devices may be delivered using a laparoscopic, endoscopic or percutaneous approach. |
| US09345475B2 |
Needle harvesting devices, systems and methods
A needle removal device is provided for removing needles from suturing devices and/or systems. In an embodiment, the needle removal device may be intended for use with a suturing device having one or more needle lumens. The needle removal device may include a first member having a first plurality of needle receptacles extending therethrough. The first needle receptacles may be configured and positioned to correspond to one or more of the one or more needle lumens of the suturing device. The needle removal device may also include a second member having a second plurality of needle receptacles extending therethrough. At least one of the first member or the second member may be moveable between a first position, wherein the first needle receptacles and the second needle receptacles are substantially aligned, and a second position, wherein the first needle receptacles and the second needle receptacles substantially unaligned. |
| US09345472B2 |
Multi-arm tool for delivering implants and methods thereof
In a general aspect, a medical device includes a receiving arm configured to be coupled to at least a portion of an implant, and a clamping arm having a proximal end coupled to the receiving arm and having a track at a distal end of the clamping arm. The medical device also includes a sliding component including a needle and configured to slidably move along the track of the clamping arm. |
| US09345461B2 |
Temporary anastomotic seal and method
Forming a proximal anastomosis on an aortic wall includes method and instrumentation and apparatus for forming an aortic puncture and inserting into the vessel through the puncture a fluid-impervious sealing element with a protruding retainer. An anastomosis of a graft vessel over the puncture is partially completed with the retainer of the sealing element protruding through the partial anastomosis. The retainer facilitates removal of the sealing element from the partial anastomosis prior to completion of the procedure. |
| US09345456B2 |
Biopsy device
An improved needle assembly is provided. A distal portion of the needle can be formed of a first material which does not interfere with MRI imaging of a tissue receiving port disposed in the distal needle portion. A proximal needle portion can be formed of a second, different material. The proximal needle portion can provide strength and stiffness. |
| US09345450B2 |
Focused rotational IVUS transducer using single crystal composite material
An ultrasound transducer for use in intra-vascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging systems including a single crystal composite (SCC) layer is provided. The transducer has a front electrode on a side of the SCC layer; and a back electrode on the opposite side of the SCC layer. The SCC layer may have a dish shape including pillars made of a single crystal piezo-electric material embedded in a polymer matrix. Also provided is an ultrasound transducer as above, with the back electrode split into two electrodes electrically decoupled from one another. A method of forming an ultrasound transducer as above is also provided. An IVUS imaging system is provided, including an ultrasound transducer rotationally disposed within an elongate member; an actuator; and a control system controlling activation of the ultrasound transducer to facilitate imaging. |
| US09345448B2 |
System and method for non-invasive determination of tissue wall viscoelasticity using ultrasound vibrometry
System and method for determining viscoelasticity of curved tissue walls using ultrasound bladder vibrometry (UBV). The UBV is a non-invasive technique utilizing, in a specific case, a focused ultrasound radiation force to excite Lamb waves in a curved bladder wall and pulse-echo techniques to track the tissue deformation propagating through such curved wall. Cross-spectral analysis is used to calculate the wave velocity, which is directly related to the elastic properties of the bladder wall. |
| US09345446B2 |
Ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus, image processing apparatus, and image processing method
An ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus according to an embodiment includes a processor, an image generator, a detector, and a controller. The processor is configured to acquire two-dimensional or three-dimensional blood flow information in time sequence in a scan range formed of a plurality of scan lines, from two-dimensional or three-dimensional echo data collected through ultrasound transmission/reception performed in the scan range. The image processor is configured to generate blood flow images in time sequence from the two-dimensional or three-dimensional blood flow information in time sequence in the scan range. The detector is configured to detect movement information in time sequence of speckles in a preset two-dimensional or three-dimensional region of interest, among the blood flow images in time sequence. The controller is configured to control a predetermined display to display movement information data that is data based on the movement information in time sequence. |
| US09345443B2 |
Calibration free dual energy radiography method
A method of generating a bone and a soft tissue image of an object includes a dual energy radiography technique wherein weight parameters for calculating these images as a weighted sum of a low energy image PL and a high energy image PH are deduced from a ratio image Log(Pn)/Log(PL). |
| US09345442B2 |
System and derivation method
A system according to one embodiment includes a memory, an aneurysm identification device, a distortion-degree evaluation device, and a rupture risk derivation device. The memory stores medical image data. The aneurysm identification device identifies an aneurysm in the medical image data. The distortion-degree evaluation device quantitatively evaluates a distortion degree of the aneurysm. The rupture risk derivation device derives a rupture risk of the aneurysm from a result of the evaluation. |
| US09345435B1 |
Esophageal introducer
An esophageal introducer is provided which facilitates the passage of medical probes into the esophagus or gastric cavity. It consists of an introduced tube 12 made of collapsible elastomeric material 21 with a flexible laminated steel at the bottom 20. The proximal opening is attached to a bite block 10. The distal end continues with an extension of the laminated steel 20a that tapers to a tip with a 45 degree bend 16. This extension is covered with elastomeric material 21a that overlaps the distal tip creating a flat soft end 19. Prior to insertion the introducer body is bended 20-30 degrees 17, the tip is advanced till it makes contact with the posterior pharyngeal wall FIG. 3a. Further pressure will advance the tip effortlessly, sliding on the posterior esophageal wall that is an anatomic continuation of the posterior pharyngeal wall. FIG. 3b, 3c. |
| US09345427B2 |
Method of using a combination vein contrast enhancer and bar code scanning device
It is known in the art to use an apparatus to enhance the visual appearance of the veins and arteries in a patient to facilitate insertion of needles into those veins and arteries. This application discloses a number of inventions that add additional data collection and presentation capabilities to a handheld vein enhancement apparatus and a set of processes for the collection of blood and the delivery of IV medicines that use the handheld device to mediate the process. |
| US09345424B2 |
Clinical force sensing glove
A clinical sensing glove system to quantify force, shear, hardness, etc., measured in manual therapies is disclosed. A sensor is disposed in a clinical glove. The sensor undergoes micro-bending, macro-bending, evanescent coupling, a change in resonance, a change in polarization, a change in phase modulation, in response to pressure/force applied. The amount of micro-bending, macro-bending, evanescent coupling, change in resonance, change in polarization, and/or change in phase modulation is proportional to the intensity of the pressure/force. A clinician can quantitatively determine the amount of pressure, force, shear, hardness, rotation, etc., applied. |
| US09345422B2 |
Method of locating the tip of a central venous catheter
A method of locating a tip of a central venous catheter (“CVC”) having a distal and proximal pair of electrodes disposed within the superior vena cava, right atrium, and/or right ventricle. The method includes obtaining a distal and proximal electrical signal from the distal and proximal pair of electrodes and using those signals to generate a distal and proximal P wave, respectively. A deflection value is determined for each of the P waves. A ratio of the deflection values is then used to determine a location of the tip of the CVC. Optionally, the CVC may include a reference pair of electrodes disposed within the superior vena cava from which a reference deflection value may be obtained. A ratio of one of the other deflection values to the reference deflection value may be used to determine the location of the tip of the CVC. |
| US09345421B2 |
Magnetic resonance spectroscopy pulse sequence, acquisition, and processing system and method
Systems and methods are provided for processing a set of multiple serially acquired magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) free induction decay (FID) frames from a multi-frame MRS acquisition series from a region of interest (ROI) in a subject, and for providing a post-processed MRS spectrum. Processing parameters are dynamically varied while measuring results to determine the optimal post-processed results. Spectral regions opposite water from chemical regions of interest are evaluated and used in at least one processing operation. Frequency shift error is estimated via spectral correlation between free induction decay (FID) frames and a reference spectrum. Multiple groups of FID frames within the acquired set are identified to different phases corresponding with a phase step cycle of the acquisition. Baseline correction is also performed via rank order filter (ROF) estimate and a polynomial fit. Sections of the ROF may be excluded from the polynomial fit, such as for example sections determined to be associated with relevant spectral peaks. |
| US09345420B2 |
Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus
A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to an embodiment is a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus that performs a contrast medium imaging, comprising a time management part that measures and manages a lapse time after injection of a contrast medium, a setting part that sets a start time of a second-half imaging in the form of a lapse time after injection of contrast medium, the second-half imaging being performed a predetermined idle time after a first-half imaging and the first-half imaging being performed after injection of the contrast medium, and a display part that displays at least the lapse time measured by the time management part and the start time set by the setting part. |
| US09345418B2 |
EEG net with transmission capabilities
An electroencephalography system is provided. The electroencephalography system includes a support structure that covers at least predetermined areas on a patient's head, a plurality of electrodes mounted on the support structure so that, the electrodes are distributed around the patient's head and measure usable electrical signals that are representative of electrical activity or activity in a patient's head, a plurality of transmitting wires incorporated into the support structure, a multi-pin connector having an output and an input, each of the plurality of transmitting wires directly connected between a respective one of each of the plurality of electrodes and a corresponding pin of the multi-pin connector so that, electrical signals are sent to the output of the connector and a first transmitter that is capable of being operatively coupled to the output of the connector. |
| US09345414B1 |
Method for providing dynamic gain over electrocardiographic data with the aid of a digital computer
In one embodiment, ECG data collected during the long-term monitoring are compressed through a two-step compression algorithm executed by an electrocardiography monitor. Minimum amplitude signals may become indistinguishable from noise if overly inclusive encoding is employed in which voltage ranges are set too wide. The resulting ECG signal will appear “choppy” and uneven with an abrupt slope. The encoding used in the first stage of compression can be dynamically rescaled on-the-fly when the granularity of the encoding is too coarse. In a further embodiment, offloaded ECG signals are automatically gained as appropriate on a recording-by-recording basis to preserve the amplitude relationship between the signals. Raw decompressed ECG signals are filtered for noise content and any gaps in the signals are bridged. The signal is then gained based on a statistical evaluation of peak-to-peak voltage (or other indicator) to land as many ECG waveforms within a desired range of display. |
| US09345413B2 |
Heart rate extraction using neural wavelet adaptive gain control and neural pattern processing
An improved heart rate monitor is provided that can detect and distinguish a heartbeat from an otherwise contaminated system with noise components potentially larger than the signal of interest. Embodiments of the inventive monitor have an amplification system that eliminates large noise components so as not to saturate the system during detection of a desired low amplitude signal. In embodiments the elimination of noise components is accomplished through wavelet decomposition, and the removal of undesired components including interference components during adaptive gain control (AGC), in addition to hunting algorithms which minimize the error with techniques such as neural network least mean squares type back propagation algorithms. |
| US09345408B2 |
Oral screening toothbrush
An oral screening toothbrush is provided for screening for oral diseases such as oral cancer and dental caries. The toothbrush emits blue light into the oral cavity and captures an image of the reflection of blue light. Image processing techniques are used to analyze the images to screen for oral diseases. Further, the toothbrush is comprised in a system including a data transfer medium (i.e. “smartphone”) and the Cloud, which allows for data transfer between multiple platforms from the toothbrush. The oral screening toothbrush and extended system provide for in-home oral screening and interaction with health professionals. |
| US09345404B2 |
Mobile device that monitors an individuals activities, behaviors, habits or health parameters
A mobile device is provided that obtains monitored information about an individual. A display is coupled to a housing. A memory is coupled to a memory and one or more processing units (CPU's), a peripherals interface, a Network Systems circuitry and an input/output (I/O) subsystems. A system is included with one or more sensors that detects or measure an individual's activities. |
| US09345402B2 |
Compact eye imaging and eye tracking apparatus
An optical system for eye tracking is disclosed. The system includes a light guiding prism that guides light from an ocular object to an imaging system through multiple internal reflections. The light guiding prism may include one or more freeform surfaces having optical power. |
| US09345401B2 |
Handheld vision tester and calibration thereof
In one aspect, there is provided an embodiment of a calibration system for use with a vision tester having a display. In this particular embodiment, the calibration system comprises a calibration stand and a reflective surface. The calibration stand is configured to hold the vision tester. The reflective surface is coupled to the calibration stand and is oriented substantially parallel to the display. The calibration stand is configured to hold the display of the vision tester at a fixed distance from the reflective surface. |
| US09345400B1 |
Ocular dominance testing apparatus and method
An ocular dominance testing apparatus and method for determining a person's dominant eye wherein the method comprises the steps of fixing a target at a predetermined distance from the person, placing an ocular dominance testing apparatus between the person and the target wherein the apparatus comprises a viewing piece having a central opening therethrough, focusing both eyes on the target through the opening, closing and reopening the right eye to determine whether the target appears to move or change color, focusing both eyes on the target through the opening, and closing and reopening the left eye to determine whether the target appears to move or change color. The dominant eye is identified as the eye that appears to move the target or change the color around the target when closed and reopened. |
| US09345397B2 |
Optical sensing system for cochlear implant surgery
A sensing system for implant surgery includes an insertion device for moving an implant into a narrow cavity in a patient's body. A sensor measures the distance from an end of the insertion device to anatomic surfaces at a distance from the end of the insertion device. An optical coherence tomography (OCT) system integrates the sensor and produces OCT images, which can be quantified to distance measurements. The system is particularly useful for cochlear implant surgery. |
| US09345395B2 |
Imaging module and endoscope device
An imaging module includes: a solid-state imaging element including a light receiving face for receiving light; a mounting substrate including a connection portion which is located inside an imaging element projection area that is a projection area where the solid-state imaging element is projected in an optical axis direction and which is connected to a back surface of the solid-state imaging element on a distal end side of the mounting substrate, the mounting substrate on a rear end side being extended in the optical axis direction; and a metallic reinforcing member that has a sleeve shape open at both ends and covers the solid-state imaging element and the connection portion of the mounting substrate along the optical axis direction in a state where an inner circumferential surface of the reinforcing member is away from the solid-state imaging element and the mounting substrate. |
| US09345394B2 |
Medical apparatus
A medical apparatus includes: a storage section that stores three-dimensional image information in a subject, the three-dimensional image information being acquired in advance; an image pickup unit that acquires an optical image in the subject; a luminal organ extracting section that extracts image information of a three-dimensional shape of a specific luminal organ in the subject; a position correspondence control section that sets correspondence between two coordinate systems; a feature information acquisition section that acquires feature information in the image information of the extracted three-dimensional shape of the specific luminal organ; an associated image generating section that generates an image in which the feature information is associated with the image information of the three-dimensional shape of the specific luminal organ; a control section that performs control to display a piece of the feature information in the vicinity of the position information of the image pickup unit, etc. |
| US09345392B2 |
Endoscope system and method for imaging exposure control
In a special observation mode, an oxygen saturation frame period, a normal frame period, and a vessel pattern frame period are repeatedly performed. A brightness detector detects the brightness of a latest frame image of an oxygen saturation video image, being a key video image. The intensity of light to be applied in the next oxygen saturation frame period is determined from the detected brightness. From the determined light intensity and a light intensity ratio among frames, the intensity of light to be applied in the next normal frame period and the next vessel pattern frame period is calculated. The exposure time of the next oxygen saturation frame period is determined from the detected brightness. From the determined exposure time and an exposure time ratio among frames, the exposure time of the next normal frame period and the next vessel pattern frame period is determined. |
| US09345390B2 |
Endoscope flexible tube and endoscope device
In an endoscope flexible tube and an endoscope device of the present invention, an endoscope flexible tube which exhibits flexibility to be inserted into a body cavity includes a bending portion formed at a distal end side, a first flexible tube portion connected in series to a proximal end of the bending portion, and a second flexible tube portion connected in series to a proximal end of the first flexible tube portion. When the bending portion and the first flexible tube portion pass a flexed portion of the body cavity, a curvature radius of the first flexible tube portion which is passively bent under a predetermined force is set to be larger than a curvature radius of the bending portion in a maximum bent state. |
| US09345388B2 |
Driving force transmitting unit, insertion instrument, rotary unit, insertion body assembly, and insertion device
A driving force transmitting unit includes a line portion extending along a driving axis in a channel, and a slider portion attached to a proximal portion of the line portion and movable relative to the line portion along the driving axis. The driving force transmitting unit includes an urging portion contracting in response to a movement of the slider portion relative to the line portion toward a distal direction and thereby applying an urging force toward the distal direction to the line portion. |
| US09345387B2 |
Preventing instrument/tissue collisions
Collisions between a minimally invasive surgical instrument and patient tissue are prevented in various ways. In one aspect a body cavity is mapped by recording positions of a surgical instrument, and the map is used to insert another surgical instrument. In another aspect, a surgical instrument is inserted into a space vacated by a guide tube. In yet another aspect, a volume is defined in which a control system permits an instrument to move, and the volume is a sum of one volume that is defined by previous movements of the instrument and other volume that is defined by the boundaries of an image capture component. In yet another aspect, a real time image of a surgical site is mosaiced over a previously recorded more distal image of the site. Surgical instruments are visible in the real time image, and representations of the surgical instruments as they would appear in the previously recorded image are generated and displayed on the previously recorded image. Consequently, a person moving the surgical instruments sees a representation of the instruments outside the field of view of an imaging system taking the real time images. |
| US09345383B2 |
Tape cleaner
The disclosed tape cleaner comprises an adhesive tape roller, a support roller inserted in the adhesive tape roller and supporting the adhesive tape roller, an upper cover having both sides connected to both sides of the support roller and partially covering the outer circumferential surface of the adhesive tape roller, a rotary cover having both sides connected to both sides of the support roller, partially covering the outer circumferential surface of the adhesive tape roller, on the inside of the upper cover, and rotatable by 360° in both directions about the longitudinal direction of the support roller, and a handle connected with the upper cover. Both the adhesive tape roller and the support roller rotate about the longitudinal direction of the support roller, and the adhesive tape roller, the support roller, the upper cover and the rotary cover are all attachable and detachable. |
| US09345381B2 |
Water-conducting domestic appliance comprising a detergent dosing system
A water-conducting domestic appliance, in particular a domestic dishwasher, the water-conducting domestic appliance including a washing compartment for receiving items therein that are to be subjected to a washing cycle by the water-conducting domestic appliance; a door movable between an open position for permitting access to the washing compartment and a closed position for preventing access to the washing compartment; and a detergent dosing system, the detergent dosing system having a detergent dispenser with a receiving compartment, the receiving compartment for receiving at least one cartridge that is configured to hold at least one detergent, the detergent dosing system having the capability to store a quantity of detergent greater than a quantity needed for a single washing cycle and the one receiving compartment being configured such that, in the event that the door is partially opened, at least one cartridge can be inserted into the receiving compartment. |
| US09345379B2 |
Textured device for cleaning cosmetic brushes
A mitten-shaped cosmetic brush cleaning device includes a frontal panel and a complementary rear panel forming an enclosure for receiving the user's hand. The frontal panel overlies the palmar side of the hand and incorporates washing, rinsing, and post-rinsing textures suited to larger cosmetic brushes. The rear panel incorporates washing, rinsing and post-rinsing textures suited for smaller brushes used to apply eye makeup. The device incorporates a shaping surface along a thumb section and an index-finger side of a main body, to facilitate use of the thumb and index finger to compress a brush head between confronting portions of the shaping surface to remove excess moisture after cleaning. One version of the device features a primary section, and two thumb sections emanating from opposite sides of the primary section. This version incorporates two shaping surfaces, one between each thumb section and its adjacent side of the primary section. |
| US09345378B2 |
Method of cleaning residue from a surface using a high efficiency disposable cellulosic wiper
A method of cleaning residue from a surface includes providing a disposable cellulosic wiper including a percentage by weight of pulp-derived papermaking fibers, and a percentage by weight of regenerated independent cellulosic microfibers having a number average diameter of less than about 2 microns and a characteristic Canadian Standard Freeness (CSF) value of less than 175 mil. The microfibers are selected and present in amounts such that the wiper exhibits a capillary pressure at 10% saturation by extrusion porosimetry of at least twice that of a like sheet prepared without regenerated independent cellulose microfibers. The wiper is applied, with a predetermined amount of pressure, to a residue-bearing surface. The surface is wiped with the applied wiper, while applying the predetermined amount of pressure, to remove residue from the surface, such that the surface has less than 1 g/m2 of residue after being wiped under the predetermined amount of pressure. |
| US09345375B2 |
Method of cleaning residue from a surface using a high efficiency disposable cellulosic wiper
A method of cleaning residue from a surface includes providing a disposable cellulosic wiper including a percentage by weight of pulp-derived papermaking fibers, and a percentage by weight of regenerated independent cellulosic microfibers having a number average diameter of less than about 2 microns and a characteristic Canadian Standard Freeness (CSF) value of less than 175 ml. The microfibers are selected and present in amounts such that the wiper exhibits a relative water residue removal efficiency of at least 150% as compared with a like sheet without regenerated independent cellulosic microfibers. The wiper is applied, with a predetermined amount of pressure, to a residue-bearing surface. The surface is wiped with the applied wiper, while applying the predetermined amount of pressure, to remove residue from the surface, such that the surface has less than 1 g/m2 of residue after being wiped under the predetermined amount of pressure. |
| US09345373B2 |
Cleaning system utilizing a regenerative blower
A cleaning system comprises a power plant, a regenerative blower having a power input shaft, a suction port, and a discharge port, an interface assembly configured for transmitting power from the power plant to the regenerative blower, a pump configured for generating pressurized water, and a heat exchanger system configured for heating the pressurized water. |
| US09345368B2 |
Paper product dispenser and related methods
An apparatus for dispensing paper product stacked along a stacking dimension includes a housing for holding the stack of paper product and having a longitudinal dimension associated with the stacking dimension. The movable ejector is located adjacent the housing and is configured to contact paper product at an end of the stack. Movement of the ejector is effective to slide paper product at the end of the stack, relative to a remainder of the stack, in a dispensing direction, to thereby dispense paper product from the housing. A first restrictor in the housing is configured to exert a force on the stack in a first restricting direction transverse to the dispensing direction, with the first restrictor being spaced from the ejector, in the longitudinal dimension, by a first distance. |
| US09345364B2 |
Food whisk
The present invention relates to a whisk comprising a whisk member, which whisk member is transformable between an expanded spiral configuration, which is suitable to be used in a deep container, and a substantially flat configuration, which is suitable to be used in a shallow container. |
| US09345363B2 |
Salad spinner with angled blade fan
A salad spinner has a support frame with a receiving aperture. A colander is supported by the support frame in the receiving aperture for rotation about an axis of rotation. A removable drive assembly is removably coupled to the support frame and colander, and the removable drive assembly includes an actuator to transmit a driving input applied to the actuator to rotate the colander. A fan having a plurality of angled blades is mechanically coupled to the actuator to force air into the colander. |
| US09345359B2 |
Coffee brewing device with manual siphon and method of brewing with same
A device for brewing coffee including a jacketed brewing vessel and a manual siphon element and methods of using the device to brew coffee. The device includes a base having a bowl, a first neck communicatively connected to the bowl, and a second neck communicatively connected to the bowl; a brewing vessel communicatively connected to the first neck; and a siphon element communicatively connected to the second neck. Operating the siphon element results in a reduced pressure within the bowl. When the brewing vessel is full of a first volume of water, the reduced pressure within the bowl results in the volume of water flowing from the brewing vessel into the bowl. A second volume of water may be added to a jacket of the brewing vessel to change the temperature of the first volume of water. |
| US09345356B2 |
Floor mat
A floor mat includes a plurality of projections integrally formed and extending from a lower surface. At least some of the projections have a straight axis and a cross section perpendicular to the straight axis that decreases from the base to the tip of the projection. The at least some projections have a height measured along the axis and a width corresponding to its largest dimension measured parallel to a plane of the lower surface such that the ratio of the width to the height of the projection is greater than 1. |
| US09345355B2 |
Garment hanger attachment
A garment hanger attachment having a flexible outer tube element and an inner partial tube element for securely attaching to a garment hanger arm and effectively lengthening and broadening the support area of a garment hanger arm so as to both inhibit crease and pucker formation in a hanged garment and enable the hanger to support larger and heavier garments than it otherwise could. |
| US09345354B2 |
Merchandise display system
Provided are systems, methods and techniques for displaying merchandise. One such system includes a support structure, a receptacle physically connected to the support structure and having a plurality of openings around its periphery, and a plurality of merchandise assemblies. Each merchandise assembly, in turn, includes an item of merchandise and an attachment device fastened to the item of merchandise. The attachment device has a vertically oriented insertion member that is tapered from top to bottom and is removably inserted into one of the plurality of openings in the receptacle. |
| US09345353B2 |
Portable shopping cart beverage carrier
A compact and easy-to-install portable carrier for a beverage container that can be used on shopping carts and that also has space for marketing/branding/personalization. A portable carrier for a beverage container is provided having a clamp portion movably connected to a beverage container carrier portion that defines a container-receiving space. The clamp portion is movable between an extended position and a retracted position. In the extended position the clamp portion extends outwardly from the beverage container carrier portion in a first direction. In the retracted position the clamp portion is rotated relative to its orientation in the extended position and positioned substantially within the container-receiving space. |
| US09345348B2 |
Serving apparatus with flange and pour channel
The present invention comprises serving apparatus which includes a bottom base which is a substantially planar closed surface for resting on a substantially horizontal surface. The apparatus also includes a substantially oval wall extending from the base having inside and outside surfaces that are smooth and uninterrupted between the base and an open top end. The apparatus also has a flange attached at the top end that extends horizontally inward and a pour channel positioned through the flange creating an aperture, wherein the pour channel, the flange, the outside surface of the wall and the inside surface of the wall form a smooth and uninterrupted surface. Furthermore, the flange causes a substance within the serving apparatus to fall back onto an object when the object is slid up the inside surface of the wall and contacts the flange. |
| US09345342B1 |
Earthquake-activated shelf security system
An earthquake-activated shelf security system has two guide rails attached to both sides of a shelf or pallet rack. At least one retainer is moveably constrained to move along the guide rails by a rotating loop located on each end of the retainer. The guide rail has a retainer rest portion and allows the retainer to rest in a prepared configuration without moving down the rail unless acted upon by a shaking event such as an earthquake. A movable backstop may be provided to allow the user to adjust the sensitivity of the system to earthquakes. A mesh net that rolls down may be provided to provide additional security to items being stored on the shelf. |
| US09345340B2 |
Dispensing mechanism for utensil dispenser and related methods
A dispenser for dispensing cutlery may include a housing configured to contain a plurality of utensils for dispensing, a dispensing mechanism comprising at least one pair of indexing members configured to separate a utensil from a stack of utensils, and a receptacle configured to receive the utensil separated from the stack of utensils. A dispensing mechanism may alternatively include a plurality of linked members configured to separate a utensil from a stack of utensils. |
| US09345333B2 |
Armrest, in particular for office chairs
An armrest, in particular for office chairs, comprising a support bracket (16) connected to the chair, a tube (34) connected to the vertical part (24) of said bracket, and an arm support pad, characterized in that the tube presents at one end a flange (36) comprising rotation guides for a plate (66), said plate presenting an aperture (66) for the insertion of the lower end of the tube and being provided with rotation guides (38) cooperating with said flange (36) for the rotation of said plate (66) about said tube (34), said plate (66) and said pad (80) being constrained by mutually cooperating slide guides (74, 78) which enable said pad (80) to translate relative to said plate (66) with said flange (36) interposed between them. |
| US09345332B2 |
Dual functional chair
A dual functional chair with a dividable seat may be used in a sitting and kneeling-sitting configuration. The seat includes a front part (1) that is convertible into a knee rest. The front part is operatively connected rotationally and slidably or rotationally only, to a movable front arm of a base of the seat, rotating on the axis of a rotational mechanism (3). The seat includes a rear part (4) having a variable angle of inclination, operatively connected via a rotational mechanism (5) to a rear arm (6) of the base of the seat. |
| US09345331B2 |
Sofa stretcher rail
A symmetrical sofa stretcher rail for compact assembly of a furniture item is provided. Embodiments of the invention include a symmetrical sofa stretcher rail with two ends that are mirror images of each other, which can thus be coupled to a seat box frame and installed inside a sofa frame with either end of the sofa stretcher rail coupling to either the front or rear of the sofa frame. In embodiments, the sofa stretcher rail may be pre-assembled as part of a seat box frame, and pivoted between a position parallel to the seat box frame and a position perpendicular to the seat box frame. Embodiments of the sofa stretcher rail include a curved central body, interior pivot tabs, fastening plates, and exterior mounting plates, having a plurality of attachment points for fastening the sofa stretcher rail to a sofa frame coupled to the seat box frame. |
| US09345326B2 |
Refrigerator shelves
Refrigerator shelves are disclosed. An example refrigerator shelf includes a substantially planar member, trim along a first edge of the planar member, and a bent continuous wire support rod. The bent rod having a first portion extending along and beneath the trim, a second portion perpendicular to the first portion and extending from the first edge to a point between the first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge, and a third portion extending from the point and extending substantially perpendicularly from a plane defined by the first and second portions. |
| US09345324B2 |
Drawer pull-out guide
The invention relates to a drawer pull-out guide (4), comprising a body rail (5) to be fastened to a furniture body (2), an in particular metal drawer rail (7) to be fastened to the drawer (3), and an adjusting device (16) for adjusting the height of the drawer (3) relative to the drawer rail (7), wherein the adjusting device (16) has an adjusting part (19), which is supported so as to be movable along a guiding track (18) to a limited extent in order to adjust the height of the drawer (3), wherein the guiding track (18) is designed as an opening in a leg (7b) of the drawer rail (7) extending vertically in the usage position, wherein the guiding track (18) extends at an angle to the horizontal. |
| US09345323B1 |
Revised mass weapon storage system
A weapon storage system includes a substantially vertical wall and a substantially horizontal lower shelf. At least one stock saddle is adapted to rest on the lower shelf. The stock saddle includes an asymmetrical oval opening adapted to receive a butt end of a weapon stock. The stock saddle also includes a plurality of steps. An upper saddle is adapted to receive a weapon in a protective bag. The upper saddle has a first wide opening farthest from a back surface of the upper saddle, an intermediate transition portion where the width of the opening narrows from the wide opening, and a rectangular opening closest to the back surface, a threaded means to attach the upper saddle to the vertical wall. A weapon in sits in the weapon storage system at a slant angle of about 17 degrees plus or minus 10 degrees. |
| US09345322B1 |
Hanging gun mount
A gun mount concealable under a garment including a hanger with a hook attached to a longitudinal member defining a central channel for receiving opposing threaded ends of a mount loop. One mount loop end passes through the trigger assembly and engages a washer and nut on the opposing side of the gun mount via the central channel and the other mount loop end is positioned within the central channel. The mount may be placed in a closet among a user's wardrobe, affording secure storage to personal firearms in the event of an emergency while concealing the presence of the guns to unauthorized users. |
| US09345315B1 |
Broom skirt
An apparatus for application to a broom that includes a broom head provides enhanced cleaning. A skirt of polar fleece fabric has a yoke long enough so that one end of the polar fleece fabric laps the other end when wrapped around the broom head. Hook and loop fasteners on the yoke where one end laps the other end enable the skirt to remain wrapped around the broom head. A plurality of strips that are at least one to three inches longer than the height of the broom head and bristles depend from the yoke. The skirt of polar fleece fabric yoke and strips are conveniently made of a single piece of fabric. A fabric with a stretchable direction transverse to a non-stretchable direction works best if the yoke is substantially parallel to the non-stretchable direction. |
| US09345314B2 |
Automotive snow brush with squeegee
A snow brush assembly is formed of a brush handle ergonomically designed, angled at each end thereof. These angles allow the user to stand clear of the vehicle and direct snow away from the person, keeping the person dry and clean. A brush head is attached at one end of the brush handle and includes a brush holder with a brush that can be positioned at various angles relative to the brush handle. A protective cover is selectively installed over the brush and is provided with squeegee. An ice scraper is removably attached to another end of the brush handle. |
| US09345312B1 |
Mobile device transportation apparatus
A connector apparatus having a base and a clip is used to attach a mobile device to an article of clothing. The base may include a front surface, a rear surface, and an outer edge. The rear surface is attachable to an object, such as a mobile device. The clip is pivotally attached to the outer edge of the base and includes an inner edge forming an inner opening in between. The clip includes a gate having an open position where the inner opening in exposed, and a closed position where the inner opening is enclosed. |
| US09345311B2 |
Hands-free medication holder headband and method of use
A headband can be used by medical doctors and animal technicians for a safe and efficient hands-free method of transporting filled, capped, medical syringes (without needle) and/or treatment items to treat patients, pastured cattle and livestock, and other pets, reducing risk of injury and stress to both technician and patients/animals, saving time, money, manpower, and medicinal product. The headband generally includes, the main elements—a headband strap to be fastened around the head that has heavy duty elastic gripping sleeves (loops) threaded onto it. Three of the sleeves are moveable along the strap, one is fixed (sewn) in place. These sleeves are used to hold various size syringes tightly to the headband to allow for hands-free work. The fixed sleeve has a seam, making it suitable to hold smaller 1-3 ml syringes. |
| US09345310B2 |
Multifunctional strap system for handheld portable electronic devices
A multifunctional strap system for portable electronic devices having a case and a strap on the back of the case. The case securely holds a protective electronic device while allowing access to all necessary features of the device. The strap securely couples a user's hand or other personal effects to the device. The strap may also be attached to a clip that removably attaches the strap to the bottom of the device. The detachable clip of the strap allows the strap system to loop around and be secured onto an object. The case may have an insert that can be used as a kickstand or a protective cover of a card held into place by the strap. |
| US09345305B2 |
Apparatus and methods for providing samples external to the packaging of a product
Apparatus and methods for providing samples (e.g., cosmetic samples) with primary product packages (e.g., cosmetic product packages) exterior to the primary product package. |
| US09345303B2 |
Compact having protrusible and retractable puff
A compact having a protrusible and retractable puff includes a lower case having a spring seated therein, an upper case having a seating section and a guide section which extend downward through a central portion, a puff assembly fitted into the seating section and having a puff member fixed to a lower portion, a lift fitted into the guide section, and an inner dish positioned on top of the lift. The lift positioned inside the guide section and pressed downward is subjected to upward repulsive force from the spring positioned under the lift. The puff assembly is coupled to and separated from the upper case. When the puff assembly is separated from the upper case, the lift including the inner dish moves upwards in response to the repulsive force of the spring, causing the puff assembly including the puff member to protrude upwards from the upper case. |
| US09345301B2 |
Supported composite tool pack
A supported composite tool pack according to aspects of the disclosure includes a concave plastic base coupled to a durable fabric body. A substantially rigid support panel divides the interior of the pack and supports the fabric body and contents of the pack with respect to the base. The pack includes a pair of backpack straps permitting the pack to be worn on the back of a user, while keeping both hands free for opening doors, hatches or scaling ladders. The fabric body defines a plurality of organizational structures inside the pack, including but not limited to closed and open pockets, rings and clips for the placement of tools, spare parts and other equipment. The base and support panel maintain the pack and its contents in an upright and accessible position when open or closed, giving the user a stable, protected work platform no matter the environment. |
| US09345299B2 |
Portable electronic device equipped with protective cover and driving method thereof
A portable electronic device equipped with a protective cover is provided. The portable electronic device includes a protective cover that is equipped with a reflector having a light reflection characteristic, a proximity sensor that is equipped with a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit, and that is configured to generate a sensing signal based on an amount of light that the light receiving unit receives in response to light emitted from the light emitting unit, and a controller that is provided with the sensing signal generated from the proximity sensor and that is configured to determine whether the protective cover is open or closed. |
| US09345296B1 |
Walking aid with deterrent spray
The walking aid with deterrent spray is constructed of a walking cane that includes a deterrent spray member integrated onto a distal end. The deterrent spray member includes a shield that opens to prevent a deterrent spray from reaching an end user. The shield is collapsible when not in use. The walking cane includes a spray nozzle on a distal end, which disperses the deterrent spray in order to temporarily incapacitate a feral animal. The spray nozzle is connected to a replaceable canister that is positioned within the walking cane. A trigger is provided on a handle portion of the walking cane. The trigger is in mechanical connection with the replaceable canister in order to dispense the deterrent spray via the spray nozzle. The shield is actuated via a plurality of extension rods that translate and pivot via a locking collar. |
| US09345294B2 |
Invisible set decorative part
The invention relates to a decorative part (1, 3, 5) including several stones (2) and a device (7, 7′, 47, 47′) for securing the stones (2) in relation to each other. According to the invention, the securing device (7, 7′, 47, 47′) includes a single electrodeposited base (9, 9′, 49, 49′) whose shape matches one part of the stones, thus allowing all the stones (2) to be attached in relation to each other without any stress, and the girdles (6) of the stones (2) are mounted edge-to-edge in relation to each other so that the single base is concealed. The invention also relates to the method for manufacturing a part (1, 3, 5) of this type. |
| US09345293B1 |
Decorative replacement bottle cap
The replacement bottle cap according has a circular lid. An annular skirt extends downward from the lid to provide an opening for receipt of a threaded neck of a bottle. The skirt has internal threads to engage corresponding threads on an external portion of the neck of a bottle. The lid is permeable to a magnetic field.A magnet is located in the cylindrical opening adjacent the lid. A decorative object extends upwardly from the lid. A decorative object is attracted to the magnet so the object is securely held to the lid. The decorative object is detachable from the lid by pulling on the object sufficiently to overcome the force exerted by the magnet on the object. At least a first connector extends from the outside of the skirt for receipt of a mating connector. |
| US09345292B2 |
System of assembling at least three parts
The invention relates to an assembly system including first and second parts each including a blind recess and at least one third part including a through hole. According to the invention, the assembly system further includes a permanent securing device including a pin mounted in the through hole of the at least one third part, the pin including, at a first end, a first means of locking one of the first and second parts in its blind recess, and a socket whose external wall includes a second means of locking the other of the first and second parts in its blind recess, and whose internal wall is welded to the second end of the pin in order to join the first, second and at least one third parts to each other with no plastic deformation of the first and second parts. |
| US09345284B2 |
Foot trainer
A foot trainer having a generally planar footbed. A heel recess is formed in the footbed. The heel recess is positioned proximate a proximal end of the footbed. A generally longitudinal groove is formed in the footbed. The longitudinal groove extends generally along at least a portion of a lateral edge of the footbed. A transverse arch extends from the footbed medially from the longitudinal groove. The transverse arch is positioned to be disposed proximally relative to a ball of a user's foot. |
| US09345283B2 |
Article of footwear with customizable stiffness
An article of footwear with customizable stiffness is provided. The article of footwear in the form of a snowboard boot is provided with stiffness elements that are inserted within retaining enclosures disposed on either side of an inner liner of the snowboard boot. Depending on the level of stiffness of the stiffener element, or lack thereof, different flex profiles having varying degrees of stiffness are available to the wearer to customize the stiffness of the snowboard boot when secured within a binding. A kit of parts is also disclosed that includes a pair of boots and two sets of interchangeable stiffener inserts to allow a wearer to customize the stiffness of the boots as desired. |
| US09345282B2 |
Adjustable helmet for a hockey or lacrosse player
An adjustable helmet having first and second shells and a single actuator comprising at least one tooth, the single actuator being moveable between: a first locked position, wherein the at least one tooth retains the first and second shells and the first and second shells define a first hollow space; a released position, wherein the at least one tooth no longer retains the first and second shells such that one of the first and second shells is moveable relative to the other of the first and second shells; and a second locked position, wherein the at least one tooth retains the first and second shells and the first and second shells define a second hollow space, the second hollow space being different than the first hollow space. |
| US09345278B2 |
Glove for meat preparation
A glove for meat preparation. A variety of cutting elements are attached to the glove's thumb and fingers and allow the user to cut, care, shred slice or trim hot meat. The glove allows the user to handle the meat and also protects the user's hand from the meat's high temperature after cooking, broiling grilling or smoking. |
| US09345276B2 |
Clothing article with protective cup
An article of clothing including a protective cup for protecting the groin area of a user. The article includes an upper portion having a front and a rear, and an interior and an exterior, for receiving the waist of the user. A cup sleeve having an apical portion is disposed in the interior of the upper portion while partially secured to the front of the upper portion with the apical portion extending free from the front of the upper portion. A securing member optionally extends from the apical portion to the rear of the upper portion. |
| US09345274B1 |
Nursing device
A nursing device generally includes a strap having a first end and a second end. The first end may be permanently attached to a nursing garment and the second end provided with means for being removably attached to the nursing garment. The strap may thus be wrapped at least partially about a portion of the outer garment and retain it in a position that facilitates nursing. |
| US09345273B2 |
Backless and optionally strapless brassiere with a reinforcing plate
The invention relates to a backless and optionally strapless brassiere comprising two textile layers (7, 8), as well as chest underwiring (20) and cup reinforcements (30). The torso underwiring (20) comprises a substantially horizontal main bottom portion (21) which is coupled, at the sides of the torso, to two substantially horizontal top side portions (22). Each reinforcement (30) is a thin plate of rigid material including extensions (33-36) extending from a side region (31) arranged substantially outside each cup and engaging with the top side portion (22) of the underwiring. |
| US09345272B2 |
Sport bra with moisture-transporting molded cups
Different molding materials and methods are provided for producing a sport bra having moisture-transporting molded bra cups. The different molding materials comprise foams having different average cell sizes, fibers having different average deniers per filament, injection-molding materials having different degrees of hydrophilicity, and different hydrophilic treatments. The molding materials are arranged to create a hydrophilic gradient from a skin surface of the wearer of the sport bra to the exterior of the sport bra. |
| US09345271B2 |
Knitted compression garment, knitted fabric and method of knitting fabric
A therapeutic medical garment having a variable pressure profile along its length, and including a knitted tubular body and a knitted anti-slip portion formed proximate one end of the tubular body with an inner surface adapted for residing against a wearer's skin. The knitted anti-slip portion includes at least first, second and third yarns simultaneously knitted to form a repeat having a raised surface texture on the inner surface of the anti-slip portion. One of the first, second and third yarns is a low-friction yarn, and two of the first, second and third yarns are high-friction yarns knitted to reside on and form the raised surface texture on the inner face of the anti-slip portion. A fabric construction and a method of forming a fabric construction are also disclosed. |
| US09345266B2 |
Apparatus and method for forming and packaging molded tobacco
An apparatus for molding and packaging molded tobacco pieces includes a mold having cavities oriented to allow ejection of molded tobacco pieces into a container. The apparatus also includes a knockout for ejecting the molded tobacco pieces, and a cutter having at least two blades for cutting the molded tobacco pieces into vertically aligned slices by passing one or more blades horizontally through the cavities. |
| US09345261B2 |
Device for the treatment of a product by a pulsed electric field
The invention relates to a device (1) for the treatment by a pulsed electric field of a product intended to circulate through this device, comprising first and second electrodes (4, 6) forming parallel plates between which a treatment zone (2), is defined, and also comprising a pulse generator (22) electrically connected to at least said first electrode (4) so as to be able to apply a pulsed electric field in the treatment zone (2), the device also comprising a product inlet conduit (26) into the treatment zone and a product outlet conduit (30).According to the invention, the first electrode (4) is electrically connected to the pulse generator (22) through either of the two conduits (26, 30), arranged in contact with this first electrode. |
| US09345260B2 |
Production of non-alcoholic beverages by fermentation
The present invention relates to a method for producing a nonalcoholic beverage by fermentation, comprising the following steps: (a) providing a providing a macerated cereal extract, (b) producing a wort from the cereal extract, (c) treating the wort from step (b) with Lactobacillus microorganisms in order to obtain a sour wort, (d) mixing the sour wort from step (c) with a liquid containing sugar and treating the mixture with Lactobacillus microorganisms in order to obtain a fermented beverage, (e) heating the fermented beverage obtained from step (d) and then cooling said fermented beverage, (f) mixing the beverage, and (g) performing further treatment steps for stabilizing, clarifying, and completing the beverage. |
| US09345253B2 |
Metal soap for addition to food and process for production thereof
There are provided a metal soap which is useful as a food additive to be added to various foods for the purposes of improving a fluidity, an anti-bridging property, a low moisture absorption property and feel upon eating of foods, and has a less adverse influence on the foods, as well as a process for producing the metal soap. The metal soap for a food additive is constituted of a fatty acid calcium salt or a fatty acid magnesium salt having 6 to 24 carbon atoms which is obtained by a double decomposition method, and a water dispersion containing the metal soap in an amount of 2% by mass exhibits a pH of not less than 6 but less than 7. The process for producing the metal soap for a food additive includes the steps of reacting 1 mol of a fatty acid having 6 to 24 carbon atoms with not less than 0.9 mol but less than 1 mol of a monovalent basic compound to obtain a fatty acid basic compound salt; and reacting the fatty acid basic compound salt with a calcium salt or a magnesium salt in an aqueous medium. |
| US09345251B2 |
Food fryer
Implementations of a food fryer are provided. In some implementations, the food fryer comprises a body portion, a stand, burners, and a drain. In some implementations, the body portion of the food fryer may be a curved hollow tube having an opening on each end. The body portion is configured to hold liquids therein for the purpose of frying or cooking food. In some implementations, the food fryer may include a storage container comprised of a body portion, a lid, and two extension members. In some implementations, the two extension members of the storage container may be configured to individually or collectively secure about the openings of the food fryers body portion such that the storage container is positioned above the food fryer. In some implementations, the storage container comprises openings from which the extension members extend. |
| US09345249B2 |
Method of supplementing cytokine, chemokine and growth factors in donor human milk
Donor milk has become a standard of care for feeding preterm infants, particularly those with gestational ages of 34 weeks or less, whose mothers are not lactating or not producing sufficient milk quantities. However, prior to distribution, donor milk is required to undergo pasteurization, typically using the Holder method, which is believed to destroy immune proteins in the milk and denature many other proteins. Donor milk has been found to contain concentrations of chemokines, cytokines, and growth factors, evidencing the value of donor milk over formula. In light of the findings, donor milk is supplemented with chemokines, cytokines, and growth factors that are found to be lower in the donor milk as compared to mother's own milk. |
| US09345243B2 |
Chemicals composition for reducing stress on plant
A chemical composition for reducing stress on a plant comprising: at least one substance (A) selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by Formula (I) and the like and a salt thereof; and a substance (B) which affects a physiological function of the plant [in Formula (I), R1 to R4 each independently represents a hydrogen atom, —SO3H, —PO3H2, glycosyl group or —COR11. R11 represents an unsubstituted or substituted C1 to C30 alkyl group or an unsubstituted or substituted C2 to C30 alkenyl group.]. |
| US09345237B2 |
Quick-disconnect soft bait fishing lure
A fishing lure. The lure has a tail segment which is coupled to a forebody segment. The tail segment can quickly attach and detach from the forebody segment. A flexible reinforcing membrane with an open cell structure runs along the backbone axis of the tail segment. The tail segment is made of a soft body material such as a lure plastisol. The flexible reinforcing membrane acts as a bridge securing the plastisol to a terminal at the forward portion of the tail segment which interoperates as either the male or female section of the couple with the forebody male or female segment section. |
| US09345230B1 |
Animal feeder
An animal feeder constructed of an open top feed bin with a bumper secured to the top edge of the bin. The bumper has a wide rounded or beveled top edge to discourage animals from chewing on it. A horizontal slot in the side of the bumper is provided to admit an open work panel to be inserted through the slot and into the open top of the bin. Once within the bin, the panel rest on the feed contained within the bin. Openings provided with the panel allow an animal to access the feed. The openings can be custom sized. The panel can be removed from the bin via the slot so that the bin can be refilled with feed. An optional cover can be attached to the top of the bumper to protect the feed from the weather or to prevent access to the feed by animals. |
| US09345224B2 |
Soybean variety 01051076
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated 01051076. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety 01051076. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety 01051076 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety 01051076 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods. |
| US09345221B1 |
Soybean cultivar S140154
A soybean cultivar designated S140154 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar S140154, to the plants of soybean cultivar S140154, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar S140154, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar S140154. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. The invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean cultivar S140154. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar S140154, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing cultivar S140154 with another soybean cultivar. |
| US09345218B1 |
Soybean variety XB46P14
A novel soybean variety, designated XB46P14 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XB46P14, cells from soybean variety XB46P14, plants of soybean XB46P14, and plant parts of soybean variety XB46P14. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XB46P14 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic trait, a mutant trait, and/or a native trait into soybean variety XB46P14, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XB46P14, and methods of characterizing soybean variety XB46P14. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XB46P14 are further provided. |
| US09345215B1 |
Wheat variety W040650E1
A wheat variety designated W040650E1, the plants and seeds of wheat variety W040650E1, methods for producing a wheat plant produced by crossing the variety W040650E1 with another wheat plant, and hybrid wheat seeds and plants produced by crossing the variety W040650E1 with another wheat line or plant, and the creation of variants by mutagenesis or transformation of variety W040650E1. This invention also relates to methods for producing other wheat varieties or breeding lines derived from wheat variety W040650E1 and to wheat varieties or breeding lines produced by those methods. |
| US09345214B1 |
Wheat variety W040278H1
A wheat variety designated W040278H1, the plants and seeds of wheat variety W040278H1, methods for producing a wheat plant produced by crossing the variety W040278H1 with another wheat plant, and hybrid wheat seeds and plants produced by crossing the variety W040278H1 with another wheat line or plant, and the creation of variants by mutagenesis or transformation of variety W040278H1. This invention also relates to methods for producing other wheat varieties or breeding lines derived from wheat variety W040278H1 and to wheat varieties or breeding lines produced by those methods. |
| US09345213B1 |
Wheat variety A030093P1
A wheat variety designated A030093P1, the plants and seeds of wheat variety A030093P1, methods for producing a wheat plant produced by crossing the variety A030093P1 with another wheat plant, and hybrid wheat seeds and plants produced by crossing the variety A030093P1 with another wheat line or plant, and the creation of variants by mutagenesis or transformation of variety A030093P1. This invention also relates to methods for producing other wheat varieties or breeding lines derived from wheat variety A030093P1 and to wheat varieties or breeding lines produced by those methods. |
| US09345212B2 |
Soybean variety 01051528
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated 01051528. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety 01051528. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety 01051528 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety 01051528 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods. |
| US09345211B2 |
Soybean variety 01046139
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated 01046139. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety 01046139. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety 01046139 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety 01046139 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods. |
| US09345209B2 |
Soybean variety 01045782
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated 01045782. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety 01045782. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety 01045782 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety 01045782 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods. |
| US09345208B2 |
System for recycling flue gas
A system for converting flue gas into useable bio-oil based compounds using algae comprises a grow tank enclosing multiple processing cells wherein each cell incorporates light emitting columns and a moveable grate to stir the algae and nutrients, and a flue gas distribution system configured to cool the flue gas, mix the gas with water, adjust the pH of the water, add nutrients—including a lipid trigger—to the water, and distribute the water to the processing cells through bubblers. |
| US09345206B2 |
Apparatus and method for operating pressure-compensated drippers at low flow rates
Apparatus for operating a group of normally closed, pressure compensated drippers at relatively low liquid flow rates includes a pulsating device having an inlet and an outlet that converts a low continuous liquid flow rate entering its inlet, through a flow control unit, to a high intermittent and pulsating flow rate ejected through its outlet. A manifold has an inlet connected to the outlet of the pulsating device, a group of normally-closed, pressure-compensated drippers being connected to the manifold. The pulsating device converts a low continuous flow rate of liquid entering its inlet, through the flow control unit, to a high intermittent and pulsating flow rate that ejects from its outlet and flows from its outlet through the manifold inlet and through the normally-closed, pressure-compensated group of drippers connected to the manifold, out from the drippers, at a pressure-compensated low flow rate. |
| US09345205B2 |
Dripper for drip irrigation and drip irrigation device
Dripper comprises Substrate integrally formed of a resin material and that includes a channel for an irrigating liquid. The channel comprises Inflow control part for controlling flowing in of the irrigating liquid and/or Flow rate control part for controlling the flow rate of the irrigating liquid that has flowed in. Inflow control part opens the channel in association with an increase in the pressure of the liquid to flow therein, and Flow rate control part closes the channel in association with an increase in the pressure of the liquid that has flowed in Dripper. Dripper is able to stabilize the control of inflow and discharge of the irrigating liquid, regardless of whether the pressure of the irrigating liquid increases or decreases, and also is able to achieve a reduction in manufacturing costs and improvement in manufacturing efficiency. |
| US09345204B2 |
Control of a boom construction and a tool articulated thereto
A working apparatus comprises a working machine, a tool, a boom construction, and a control system. A first end of the boom construction is connected to the working machine. The tool is connected to an opposite second end of the boom construction. The boom construction comprises a first boom and a first actuator controlling the first boom, a second boom articulated to the first boom and a second actuator controlling the second boom, and a third actuator controlling the position of the tool. The control system has a link mode, a parallel mode, and a tool-levelling mode. |
| US09345199B2 |
Landscape edger with adjustable connection mechanism
An edger is provided that includes a cylindrically shaped attachment member that includes at least one tooth for interlocking relationship with another attachment member. The interlocking relationship prevents relative motion between the attached edgers. The edger further comprises a plurality of arcuate members that help support the wall against the restrained pavers and which provide stiffness to the wall. |
| US09345198B2 |
Residue chopping and distribution arrangement for a combine harvester
A residue chopping and distribution arrangement (48) for a combine harvester (10) comprises a first straw chopper (50) and a second straw chopper (52) arranged side by side and expelling the chopped straw laterally. A first chaff spreader (106) located in front of the first straw chopper (50) is driven by a first drive shaft (68) that also drives a first rotor (66) of the first straw chopper (50). A second chaff spreader (108) located in front of the second straw chopper (52) is driven by a second drive shaft (100) that also drives a second rotor (92) of the second straw chopper (52). |
| US09345196B1 |
Cotton handling system with mechanical sequencing
A cotton handling system is provided for a cotton harvesting machine with an onboard accumulator and a baling chamber. The cotton handling system includes meter, beater and feeder arrangements positioned downstream from one another for processing and conveying cotton from the accumulator to the baling chamber. A sequencing arrangement includes at least one mechanical sequencing device operatively coupled to the feeder arrangement and at least one of the meter and beater arrangements such that at least the feeder arrangement has a start-up activation time that is different from the meter and/or beater arrangements. |
| US09345195B2 |
Air blast soft fruit harvesting device
The invention relates to the air blast soft fruit harvesting device comprising an air flow director (1), pulsator (2), distancing channel (3), segmented extension (4) and blower fan (5) assembly. The distancing channel (3) is connected with the segmented extension (4) on the top side and with the pulsator (2) on the bottom side, whereas the pulsator (2) is simultaneously connected with the air flow director (1) on the bottom side, and the segmented extension (4) is connected with the blower fan (5). The blower fan (5) constantly sends air to the director (1), through the segmented extension (4), distancing channel (3) and pulsator (2) directing the air towards a fruit shrub, thus shaking ripe fruits. In the course of the rotation of the pulsator (2) rotor (32), the pulsator (2) alternately sends air, in a single cycle, through the channels (6, 7 and 8), and then through the channels (9, 10 and 11) of the director (1), where the air flow leaving the pulsator (2) varies, achieving its power impact. It is possible to regulate the air blast power and speed over the connecting tube (78) by discharging part of the air which the blower fan (5) sends towards the director (1), into the atmosphere. The regulation is performed manually with the lever (81). Thus, regulation of the air blow power impact on a fruit shrub is obtained. When using the device for harvesting soft fruit, two devices are used simultaneously, positioned in such way that there is a row of shrubs between them. |
| US09345194B2 |
Automatic display of remote camera image
A farm vehicle includes a crop gathering mechanism to convey harvested crop material to a crop flow path passing internally through at least part of the vehicle. The vehicle includes a vehicle data bus and a plurality of control modules operatively connected to the vehicle data bus and configured to monitor information on the vehicle data bus and to act according to such information. An electronic operator module is configured to monitor the states of operator controls and to broadcast information on the vehicle data bus specifying such states. Additionally, video cameras positioned within the vehicle face the crop flow path and are operably connected to a graphic display. A graphic display control module includes a processor configured to control the display of images on the graphic display for selective display of images from the video cameras based upon information from the vehicle data bus. |
| US09345192B2 |
Mowing device
A mowing device for the treatment of vegetations is adapted for the attachment to a carrier and for the connection to a drive unit. The mowing device includes a frame, on which mowing spindles are mounted which are provided on one side with mowing blades and on the opposite side with distributing elements for the connection to transmission members. On the frame, a transmission mechanism for driving the mowing spindles is further positioned. The mowing spindles are arranged in two mutually parallel rows, defined by longitudinal lines, located in a mutual distance separation. The mowing spindles of each row are interconnected by the transmission members. The centers of the mowing spindles of the first row on a line are located in a mutual spacing. The centers of the mowing spindles of the second row on the line are located in the mutual spacing. The centers of the mowing spindles of the second row are offset in the direction of the lines by a one-half P/2 of the spacing P with respect to the centers of the mowing spindles of the first row on the line. A connecting line of the center of each mowing spindle of the first row on the line with the center of the immediately adjacent mowing spindle of the second row on the line forms with parallel longitudinal lines an acute angle, for which the following applies: L tg a=P/2 The size of the angle a is in the range from 15° to, 60°. The transmission mechanism for driving the mowing spindles with two transmission devices mounted side by side on the frame and mutually connected. The first transmission device is arranged for the rotation in one rotational direction and is connected via transmission members with the mowing spindles of the first row on the line. The second transmission device is arranged as a reverse device for an optional rotation of the output shaft of the gearbox in both rotational directions, and it is associated via transmission members with the mowing spindles of the second row on the line. |
| US09345188B2 |
Transitional blocking member of planting unit to control hand-off of seed from a seed meter to a seed delivery system
A planting unit for a seed machine is described. The planting unit includes a seed meter with a metering member that moves seed along a first path to a release position, at which the seed is moving in a first direction. A delivery system receives seed from the metering member at the release position and moves the seed in a second direction by way of a brush belt with flexible bristles that sweep seed off the metering member. A blocking member has a blocking face adjacent the first path to prevent movement of the seed in the second direction until the seed has passed the blocking face, and to deflect a first portion of the flexible bristles. The blocking member includes a transition surface to allow the deflected bristles to return gradually to an un-deflected configuration as the bristles travel downstream of the blocking face. |
| US09351435B2 |
Bonding apparatus and method for display device
A bonding apparatus for a display device includes a film bonding device configured to attach an anisotropic conductive film to a panel, and a pressure device configured to bond a driving chip and a flexible printed circuit to the panel. The pressure device includes a pressure head including a heat source, a pressure tip attached to a bottom side of the pressure head and the pressure tip being configured to press the flexible printed circuit to the panel, and a transfer unit attached to an upper side of the pressure head, the transfer unit being configured to transfer the pressure head. The heat source is located in the pressure head. |
| US09351434B2 |
Bulk feeder with flexible portion
A bulk feeder for supplying electronic components to a supply position which is provided with a storage section for storing multiple electronic components in a loose state and a supply passage for guiding the electronic components stored in that storage section to an electronic component supply position while arranged in a single line, a section of the supply passage is a section which has flexibility and groove block member which includes an electronic component supply position is moved using the flexibility of that section with flexibility. By this, it is possible to perform correction of the supply position and it is possible to suitably align the electronic component holding position and supply position. |
| US09351433B2 |
Operating a current converter at a path of travel of land vehicles or at a parking space of a land vehicle
The invention relates to an arrangement for operating a current converter, in particular an inverter, wherein the converter is located at a path of travel of land vehicles or at a parking space of a land vehicle, the converter being adapted to support operation of at least one vehicle, the converter is combined with a cooling device adapted to cool the converter during operation, the cooling device is designed to use a heat transport medium in order to transport heat away from the converter, the arrangement comprises at least one pole and/or at least one supporting structure which is also located at the path of travel or at the parking space, the pole and/or the supporting structure extends upwards from ground, the arrangement comprises a conduct for conducting the heat transport medium and the conduct extends from the cooling device to the pole and/or to the supporting structure and also extends inside the pole and/or inside the supporting structure so that heat can be transferred from the heat transport medium inside the pole and/or inside the supporting structure to the ambiance. |
| US09351432B2 |
Driver device
A driver device has a rear frame end disposed on an axial end of a motor, a heat sink on which a power module is fastened, and a connector case disposed on an outside of the heat sink having a first connector and a second connector for an external connection. A plate is fastened onto the connector case, with a motor-facing contact face of the plate contacting the rear frame end and a motor-facing-away contact face of the plate contacting the heat sink. Heat conductivity of the plate is equal to or greater than that of the rear frame end and that of the heat sink combined. Thus, a gap between the rear frame end and the heat sink is sealed and heat from the heat sink on which the power module is fastened is appropriately transmitted to the rear frame end. |
| US09351430B2 |
Renewable energy based datacenter cooling
A data center is cooled through hydronic convection mechanisms, geothermal mechanisms or combinations thereof. The individual computing devices of such a data center are cooled through a thermally conductive interface with a liquid. The liquid's container can extend to a cooling apparatus located physically above such computing devices to provide hydronic convection cooling, or it can extend into the earth, either in the form of a heat pipe, or in the form of conduits through which the liquid is actively pumped. The hydronic convection cooling and geothermal heat pipe cooling operate via temperature differentials and consume no external electrical power. Geothermal cooling avoids heat soak by utilizing multiple different sets of conduits extending into the earth, where at least some of those sets of conduits are not utilized for a period of time. Combinations of hydronic convection mechanisms and geothermal cooling can also be utilized. |
| US09351425B2 |
Container-type data center
A container-type data center is provided, which can be transported while having outdoor units of an air conditioning facility installed therein, and having an enhanced cooling effect. A partition panel 10 is provided for separating a container 100 into an IT equipment accommodation chamber 18 and an outdoor unit installation chamber 15, and on both ends of the panel are provided pillar sections 14e and 14f for the partition panel. The length-direction dimension of the outdoor unit installation chamber 15 is within the range of 1.6 to 2 meters, which can be selected arbitrarily according to the size of the outdoor units 6a through 6d. The outdoor units 6a through 6d are arranged so that their air discharge openings face the outer side in the width direction of the container. Regarding the outdoor units 6a through 6d, it is possible to set up an angle steel rack and stack two outdoor units vertically. According to this configuration, the container-type data center can be transported while having the outdoor units installed therein, and can exert sufficient cooling ability, which had been insufficient due to the small number of outdoor units installable in the prior art container-type data center. |
| US09351419B2 |
Safety device for projector support arm for an interactive display system
There is disclosed an interactive whiteboard system including a display surface (102) and a projector (108), wherein a support structure includes a support arm (110) which extends away from the plane of the interactive surface to support a projector head of the projector in a position in front of the display surface, wherein there is further provided a safety member (212) for connecting the support arm to the support structure, the safety member being arranged such that in an overload condition of the support arm, the support arm pivots relative to the support structure in a controlled manner until a predetermined stop point is reached. |
| US09351418B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
According to one embodiment, semiconductor memory device is capable of operating at a first mode and a second mode which is higher in speed than the first mode. The semiconductor memory device comprising: a semiconductor memory; a controller which controls the semiconductor memory; a connector which is provided with terminals for sending and receiving data to and from an external device; and a substrate on which the semiconductor memory, the controller, and the connector are mounted, the substrate comprising a plurality of wiring layers. The controller and the connector are mounted on an identical surface of the substrate. The substrate comprises a wiring which connects a mounting pad for the terminal for data transfer at the second mode of the connector and a mounting pad for a pin for data transfer at the second mode of the controller to each other on the wiring layer on a mounting surface for the connector and the controller. |
| US09351397B2 |
Resin composition for printed wiring board material, and prepreg, resin sheet, metal foil clad laminate, and printed wiring board using same
A resin composition forms a roughened surface with low roughness on an insulating layer regardless of roughening conditions when used as an insulating layer of a printed wiring board, and is excellent in adhesion between the insulating layer and a plated conductor layer, and also has low thermal expansion coefficient (linear expansion coefficient) and high glass transition temperature and is also excellent in moist heat resistance. The resin composition includes an epoxy compound, a cyanate ester compound and an inorganic filler, wherein the cyanate ester compound is at least selected from a naphthol aralkyl type cyanate ester compound, an aromatic hydrocarbon formaldehyde type cyanate ester compound, a biphenyl aralkyl type cyanate ester compound and a novolak type cyanate ester compound; and the content of the epoxy compound is 60 to 75% by weight based on the total amount of the epoxy compound and the cyanate ester compound. |
| US09351395B2 |
Printed circuit boards including strip-line circuitry and methods of manufacturing same
A method of manufacturing a printed circuit board includes the steps of providing a first layer stack including a first electrically-conductive layer and a first electrically-insulating layer and providing a second layer stack including a second electrically-insulating layer. The first electrically-conductive layer is disposed on the first surface of the first electrically-insulating layer. The second electrically-insulating layer includes one or more electrically-conductive traces disposed on a first surface thereof. The method also includes mounting a device on the first surface of the second electrically-insulating layer such that the device is electrically-coupled to at least one of the one or more electrically-conductive traces, and providing the first layer stack with a cut-out area defining a void that extends from the second surface of the first electrically-insulating layer to the first surface of the first electrically-conductive layer. The cut-out area is configured to receive at least a portion of the device therein. |
| US09351393B2 |
Interconnect substrate and electronic device
An interconnect substrate comprising a laminated body, including an electric conductor and an insulator, over which an electronic element is disposed, wherein the laminated body includes a first layer having at least one first conductor separated in an island shape, a first connecting member which is buried in the laminated body in order to electrically connect the electronic element and the first conductor, a second layer having a third conductor which is provided opposite to at least a partial region of the first conductor, a second conductor which is provided opposite to at least one of the first conductor and the third conductor with a layer of the insulator interposed therebetween, and a second connecting member, buried in the laminated body, which electrically connects the second conductor and the first conductor or the third conductor. |
| US09351392B2 |
Backlight assembly and liquid crystal display device using the same
A backlight assembly is disclosed that is capable of enabling easy narrow bezel design and easily radiating heat generated from a light source, and a liquid crystal display device using the same. The backlight assembly includes a bottom cover, a light guide plate placed on the bottom cover, a printed circuit board having an L-shaped form and attached to a bottom surface and inner lateral surface of the bottom cover, and a plurality of Light Emitting Diode (LED) packages being mounted to the printed circuit board, wherein the printed circuit board includes a single metal layer having the L-shaped form and attached to the bottom surface and the inner lateral surface of the bottom cover; and a Resin Coated Copper (RCC) film attached to an inner lateral surface of the single metal layer. |
| US09351390B2 |
Radiant tube and particle accelerator having a radiant tube
A radiant tube (4) for guiding a charged particle stream (10) has a hollow cylindrical isolation core (6) directly encompassing a beam-guiding hollow volume (8). The isolation core (6) is formed from a dielectrically acting carrier substrate (14) and an electrical conductor (16) held therein. The conductor (16) is divided into a plurality of conductor loops (20) completely encompassing the circumference of the isolation core (6) at different axial positions of the isolation core (6). The conductor loops (20) are galvanically connected to each other. |
| US09351385B2 |
Circuit arrangement for protection from electrostatic discharges and method for operating same
A circuit arrangement for protection against electrostatic discharges has a diverting structure (ESD1), which comprises a diverting element (DE1) and a switchable element (SW1). The diverting element (DE1) is set up to drain off an electrostatic discharge between a first and a second terminal (K1, K2). The switchable element (SW1) can take a first and a second switching state, where a function of the diverting element (DE1) can be activated depending on the switching state of the switchable element (SW1). |
| US09351384B2 |
Light source drive device, display apparatus, and light source drive method
A light source drive device includes a supply unit that supplies a high-frequency first drive signal and a second drive signal whose frequency is lower than a frequency of the first drive signal to a discharge lamp which has a pair of electrodes, and a control unit that controls the supply unit so that the second drive signal is supplied during a second period after the first drive signal is supplied during a first period and the second period is lengthened as a voltage between the pair of electrodes is increased. It is preferable that the second period be longer than two minutes. |
| US09351382B2 |
Device having a plurality of driver circuits to provide a current to a plurality of loads and method of manufacturing the same
In various embodiments, a device is provided. The device includes a substrate having a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The substrate includes a plurality of driver circuits at the first side of the substrate. Each of the plurality of driver circuits is configured to drive a current from the first side of the substrate to the second side of the substrate. The device further includes at least one load interface at the second side of the substrate. The at least one load interface is configured to couple the current from the plurality of the driver circuits to a plurality of loads at the second side of the substrate. |
| US09351379B2 |
Integrated light-emitting diode driver circuit and method of operating the same
An integrated light-emitting diode (LED) driver circuit includes a bi-directional power line communication (PLC) unit, a power conversion module, and a constant current (CC)/constant voltage (CV) control unit. The bi-directional PLC unit receives an AC voltage, and converts a modulation signal on the AC voltage to generate a light-dimming control signal. The power conversion module receives the AC voltage and converts the AC voltage to generate an output voltage. The CC/CV control unit receives the light-dimming control signal to generate a dimming constant current or a dimming constant voltage. The integrated LED driver circuit outputs the dimming constant current or the dimming constant voltage and the output voltage to drive a LED string. |
| US09351378B2 |
Lighting network with autonomous commissioning
Networked intelligent lighting devices and other elements connected to the network of a lighting system are readily adaptable to desirable networking arrangements as well as logical functional groups, for example by each storing communication provisioning data and/or configuration data for logically associating system elements into one or more groupings or sub-networks. The exemplary systems and system elements may also enable such enhanced network arrangement via autonomous discovery and device commissioning. |
| US09351377B2 |
Dimming control device and method
The present invention relates to a dimming control device and method, and a dimming control device according to an embodiment of the present invention may control the ON/OFF of a lamp depending on whether a power pad is touched, and control the brightness of the lamp depending on whether dimming pads are touched. Thus, a user may control brightness step by step and may conveniently manipulate each step of brightness. |
| US09351376B2 |
Illumination control system
An illumination control system includes a signal detection unit for detecting a signal changed depending on an eye state of a person, an opening/closing determination unit for determining an opening/closing state of an eye of the person based on the detected signal, and a sight line detection unit for detecting a person's sight line direction with respect to an illumination device based on the detected signal. The illumination control system further includes a control unit for controlling the illumination device to reduce an illuminance when the opening/closing determination unit determines that the eye of the person is in a closed eye state, and to change an illuminance and a light color based on the sight line direction detected by the sight line detection unit when the opening/closing determination unit determines that the eye of the person is in an open eye state. |
| US09351375B2 |
Adaptive lighting system with low energy consumption
A method for designing a lighting system, including: obtaining a selection of a color temperature (CT); obtaining, for the CT, a first spectral power distribution (SPD) corresponding to a low value color rendering index (CRI) and having a first plurality of peak wavelengths; obtaining, for the CT, a second SPD corresponding to a high value CRI and having a second plurality of peak wavelengths; and identifying a plurality of common peak wavelengths shared by the first SPD and the second SPD, where the lighting system includes a first plurality of light sources corresponding to the plurality of common peak wavelengths and a second plurality of light sources corresponding to a plurality of remaining peak wavelengths of the second plurality of peak wavelengths, and where the lighting system activates the second plurality of light sources in response to an event. |
| US09351367B2 |
Dimmer compatible light emitting diode driver
Drivers (1) for driving lamps (2) comprising light emitting diodes are provided with arrangements (11) for, in response to detections of instantaneous values and average values of input voltage signals, providing output currents. Detected instantaneous values divided by detected average values form ratios. Adaptation circuits (12) for adapting some ratios make the drivers (1) dimmer compatible. The adaptation circuits (12) may comprise first circuits (21-29) for adapting the detected instantaneous values, second circuits (31-38) for adapting the detected average values, and third circuits (91-96) and fourth circuits (101-5) for respectively modulating the detected average and instantaneous values to add bleeder functions. The adaptation circuits (12) may adapt the ratios in different ways during different parts of a period of the input voltage signal and such that a time-interval, during which time-interval an input current signal of the driver (1) has instantaneous values larger than a threshold, is increased. |
| US09351365B2 |
Control unit for LED assembly and lighting system
A lighting system comprising an LED assembly that comprises a first and second LED unit said LED units being serial connected is described. The system comprises; □ a switched mode power supply for powering the LED assembly; □ a control unit for controlling the LED assembly the control unit being arranged to: □ receive an input signal representing a desired output characteristic of the LED assembly, □ determine a first and second duty cycle for the respective first and second LED units associated with a nominal current of the switched mode power supply, for providing the desired output characteristic, □ determine the largest of the first and second duty cycles for respective LED units, □ determine a reduced current based on at least the largest of the duty cycles, □ adjust the first and second duty cycle for respective LED units based on the reduced current or the largest of the duty cycles, □ provide output data for the LED assembly and the switched mode power supply based on the adjusted first and second duty cycles and the reduced current. The LED assembly of the system further comprises a capacitor connectable in parallel to the first and second LED units by operating a switch connected in series with the capacitor and wherein the control unit is arranged to control the switch based on at least one of the reduced current and the input signal. |
| US09351364B2 |
Low cost LED driver with improved serial bus
An LED driver IC for driving external strings of LEDs comprises a prefix register and a data register connected in series with each other and with the prefix and data registers in other driver ICs. The prefix and data registers of the driver ICs are connected in a daisy chain arrangement with an interface IC. The interface IC loads data identifying a functional latch into the prefix register and data defining a functional condition into the data register of each driver IC. The data in the data register is then transferred to the functional latch to control the functional condition within the LED driver IC. |
| US09351363B1 |
Dual mode operation light-emitting diode lighting device having multiple driving stages
An LED lighting device includes first and second luminescent units, first and second current controllers, a line voltage sensing unit and a mode control unit. The first current controller with a first current setting is selectively coupled to the first luminescent unit according to a sensing voltage associated a range of the rectified AC voltage. The second current controller with a second current setting is coupled in series to the second luminescent unit. The line voltage sensing unit is configured to detect the sensing voltage. The mode control unit is configured to operate the LED lighting device in a first driving mode when detecting that the rectified AC voltage is within a first AC range and operate the LED lighting device in a second driving mode when detecting that the rectified AC voltage is within a second AC range. |
| US09351358B2 |
LED array member and integrated control module assembly with built-in switching converter
A LAM/ICM assembly comprises an integrated control module (ICM) and an LED array member (LAM). The ICM includes interconnect through which power from outside the assembly is received. In a first novel aspect, active circuitry is embedded in the ICM. In one example, the circuitry monitors LED operation, controls and supplies power to the LEDs, and communicates information into and out of the assembly. In a second novel aspect, a lighting system comprises an AC-to-DC converter and a LAM/ICM assembly. The AC-to-DC converter outputs a substantially constant current or voltage. The magnitude of the current or voltage is adjusted by a signal output from the LAM/ICM. In a third novel aspect, the ICM includes a built-in switching DC-to-DC converter. An AC-to-DC power supply supplies a roughly regulated supply voltage. The switching converter within the LAM/ICM receives the roughly regulated voltage and supplies a regulated LED drive current to its LEDs. |
| US09351354B2 |
Driver device for driving an LED unit
A driver device and a corresponding method for driving a load, in particular an LED unit comprising one or more LEDs. The proposed driver device comprises power input terminals for receiving a rectified supply voltage from an external power supply, power output terminals for providing a drive voltage and/or current for driving a load, a half bridge unit comprising a first and second switching element coupled in series between a high voltage node and a low voltage node and having a switch node between the first and second switching elements, a buck-boost input filter unit comprising a first inductor and a series diode coupled between a power input terminal and the half bridge unit, a buck output filter unit comprising a second inductor coupled between the half bridge unit and a power output terminal, an energy storage unit, and a control unit for controlling the switching elements. |
| US09351348B2 |
Laminate support film for fabrication of light emitting devices and method of fabrication
Optical elements (130) are attached to a support film (110) at select locations, the select locations corresponding to locations of light emitting elements (140) on another substrate, e.g. the substrate of the title (150). The film is placed on the substrate containing the light emitting elements such that the optical elements are in contact with their corresponding light emitting elements. The optical elements are laminated to the light emitting elements, and the support film is removed. The optical elements may include wavelength conversion elements, lens elements, combinations of elements, and so on. Other elements, such as conductors and reflectors may also be positioned on the laminate film. |
| US09351346B2 |
Material heating and providing apparatus
A dielectric heating system which is provided with a high frequency oscillator, a housing which forms part of a waveguide and is provided with a loading opening and unloading opening, first and second conductive closing members which respectively close the loading opening and the unloading opening from the inner side of the housing, and a first position holding member which holds the object to be heated inside the housing, which makes the first conductive closing member slide to open the loading opening and charges the object to be heated into the housing, and which makes the second conductive closing member slide to open the unloading opening and unload the object to outside the housing. |
| US09351345B2 |
Method of manufacturing electrodes for flat heat generator
A method of manufacturing electrodes for a flat heat generator is provided for creating electrodes in an arbitrary shape on an arbitrary site of an arbitrarily shaped flat heat generator, to allow a required portion to generate heat, and to allow a heat source to move. The method includes the steps of forming a negative film for ultraviolet exposure masking from a master which has a set of electrodes for the flat heat generator designed in an arbitrary shape and at an arbitrary site, forming a thin-film member including an uncured portion of epoxy film, by irradiating the thin-film member with ultraviolet rays through masking of the negative film, dissolving the uncured portion of epoxy resin with a developing solution to form the set of electrodes, and depositing a metal on the set of electrodes through an ionization reaction within an electrolytic solution bath to from an electrodes. |
| US09351341B2 |
Heat treatment apparatus for heating substrate by irradiating substrate with flash of light
The front surface of a semiconductor wafer with a back surface supported by lift pins is irradiated with a flash of light from flash lamps, so that the semiconductor wafer is heated. A transparent restriction ring made of quartz is into abutment with or close to a peripheral portion of the front surface of the semiconductor wafer. In this state, the flash irradiation is performed. If the temperature of the front surface of the semiconductor wafer rises rapidly when the flash irradiation is performed, the restriction ring restrains the semiconductor wafer from jumping up from the lift pins. This prevents wafer cracking resulting from the jumping of the semiconductor wafer when the flash irradiation is performed. |
| US09351337B2 |
Virtual inter-process communication between a radio equipment and a radio equipment controller in a base station of a wireless communication system
Embodiments of a Radio Equipment (RE), and methods of operation thereof, are disclosed. In one embodiment, the RE is designed for Inter-Process Communication (IPC) and is connected to a Radio Equipment Controller (REC) that does not support IPC. In operation, the RE receives a non-IPC message from the REC. An IPC translator of the RE then translates the non-IPC message into an equivalent IPC message and provides the equivalent IPC message to a corresponding process operating on the RE. In one embodiment, multiple processes are operating on the RE, and the IPC translator provides the equivalent IPC message to one of the processes that is responsible for handling the equivalent IPC message. As a result of the IPC translator, IPC signaling occurring at the RE is transparent to the REC. |
| US09351326B2 |
Access point discoverability in multi-role multi-channel devices
Systems and methods for improved access point discoverability in multi-role multi-channel devices are described. When the multi-role multi-channel device leaves an AP role and then later returns to the AP role, such as when operating in another role, the multi-role multi-channel device sends a unicast probe response to the stations in a predetermined list. The unicast probe response is transmitted even without receiving a corresponding probe request. If one of the stations on the list is in the area and would like to connect to the AP role, it can complete the connection process using information in the response message. |
| US09351323B2 |
Method of registering electric devices in wireless control system
A method of registering an electric device in a wireless control system includes: A. Input a device code of an electric device and a user code, and save them in an interpreter; B. Transmit the device code and the user code to a server; and C. Establish a connection between the device code and the user code in the server. With the connection between the device code and the user code the wireless control system may identify each registered electric device and the user who owns the electric device. |
| US09351321B2 |
Mobile station apparatus, base station apparatus, and radio link synchronization determining method
A mobile station (MS) performs a measurement of cells on a plurality of downlink frequencies used for a connection with a base station apparatus. The MS also detects a first indication or a second indication, based on the measurement of each cell designated by the base station apparatus, the first indication indicating a measurement result of a cell becomes lower than a first threshold and the second indication indicating a measurement result of a cell becomes higher than a second threshold. In addition, the MS, in a case where a reconnection procedure is started by expiring a timer corresponding to the each cell, selects a cell, and initiates a random access procedure for requesting a reconnection in the selected cell. Further, the timer is started if the first indication is indicated consecutively for a certain number of times. |
| US09351320B2 |
Collision avoidance for traffic in a wireless network
Techniques for avoiding collision of traffic in a wireless network are described. A station detects for synchronization of its traffic with traffic of other stations. The station may detect for synchronization based on, e.g., percentage of first transmission failures, counters indicative of statistics of transmitted frames, and/or other information. The station may confirm synchronization of its traffic, e.g., by monitoring for traffic from another station during a service period for the station. The station adjusts transmission of its traffic when synchronization is detected to avoid collision with the traffic of the other stations. The station may delay transmission of its traffic by a predetermined amount of time, by a pseudo-random amount, or until after the other stations finish their transmissions. |
| US09351316B2 |
Method and apparatus of accessing channel in wireless communication system
A method and apparatus of accessing a channel in a wireless communication system is provided. The method includes receiving a first frame including configuration information on a channel allocated from a bandwidth including a primary channel, a secondary channel and an extension channel from an access point (AP), and transmitting a second frame to the AP by using the allocated channel. The configuration information includes an extension channel offset element field that sets the extension channel as the offset of the primary channel. |
| US09351312B2 |
System and method for providing and using radio network temporary identifiers signatures for interference cancellation
According to certain embodiments, methods and systems for providing device-specific radio network temporary identifiers (C-RNTI) signatures may be provided for interference cancellation. The methods and systems may include assigning a subset of C-RNTIs to a cell. A mapping may be defined between the subset of C-RNTI signatures and a set of C-RNTI indices. Each C-RNTI signature within the subset may be identifiable by a first wireless device via the mapping. The mapping between the subset of C-RNTI signatures and the set C-RNTI indices may be provided to the first wireless device. A C-RNTI indices indicating at least one currently scheduled wireless device may be provided to the first wireless device. |
| US09351308B2 |
Multi-modal communication priority over wireless networks
Prior reservation of bandwidth is enabled during conference setup. Through synchronization of directory databases at one or more multi-modal communication application deployment sites and use of a multi-modal communication enabled node at an evolved packet core (EPC), bandwidth is statically or dynamically allocated for communication sessions based on requesting user profile, requested modality, location of the user, and similar factors such that a desired Quality of Service (QoS) is maintained during the communication session. Service Providers (SPs) provide differentiated QoS by pre-reserving bandwidth margin over and above what is required. The bandwidth margin is used by the SPs to include additional error correction mechanism. Dynamic bandwidth allocation factors in the location of the UC devices and roaming status. |
| US09351307B2 |
CSI report with different receiver capabilities
Reported CSI may not reflect non-cancelable CRS interference received from an interfering cell, such as when the CSI is computed when CRS interference is not received. To address the issue, a user equipment (UE) may determine an interference cancelation/suppression efficiency (CSE) associated with canceling/suppressing interference from interfering cells. In addition, based on the determined CSE, a UE may compute CSI such that the CSI reflects the true cancelation efficiency of the UE with respect to interfering cell signals. When computing the CSI based on the determined CSE, the UE may report that the CSI is worse than it is to reflect the UE's true cancelation efficiency with respect to the interfering cell signals. |
| US09351305B2 |
Resource allocation method and apparatus of heterogeneous cellular communication system
A resource allocation method and an apparatus for mitigating inter-cell interference in the heterogeneous cellular communication system are provided. The method for a first type base station to allocate resource in a wireless communication system including the first and second types base stations according to the present invention includes estimating an available Frequency Assignment (FA) not used by a neighbor second type terminal among FAs used by the first type base station, and allocating sub-channels associated with one of the available FAs not used by the neighbor second type terminal to a first type terminal, wherein the second type base station allocates the sub-channels for uplink and downlink transmissions of the second type terminal over a predetermined time period such that an FA in which sub-channels for the uplink transmissions are allocated and the FA in which sub-channels for the downlink transmissions are allocated are the same. |
| US09351301B2 |
Maintenance of time slot usage indicators and self-organizing networking
Provided are methods by which multiple devices self-form a communication network and self-coordinate their access to communication media. In these methods, an individual node maintains its knowledge of other nodes in its vicinity and knowledge of those nodes' scheduled activities to an adequate degree of details. Such knowledge can be obtained by receiving control signals from nodes that are within the range of wireless communication. Examples of such knowledge include the identities of the nodes in the vicinity, the nodes' scheduled times of control message transmission and/or reception, the nodes' scheduled times of application data transmission and/or reception, etc. Such knowledge can be embodied in the form of a memory module of a computing device. |
| US09351298B2 |
Service data scheduling method, base station, and base station controller
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a service data scheduling method and related devices. The method includes: receiving a service attribute message; obtaining a user priority of a UE according to the service attribute message and attribute information of each service corresponding to service data of the UE that is cached locally; granting authorization to the UE according to user priority of the UE; granting authorization to each service of the UE according to the authorization granted to the UE and the service priority of the service of the UE; and sending authorization information of the each service corresponding to the service data of the UE that is cached in the base station controller to the base station controller. When the service data of the same user is cached in the base station and the base station controller in a distributed way, service data scheduling for a user is implemented. |
| US09351296B2 |
Downlink multiplexing
A communications node includes a memory configured to store allocation data defining an allocation of persistent downlink resources for use in communicating data between the communications node and another node of a communications system within predetermined transmission time intervals (TTIs), a receiver configured to receive control data relating to a dynamic allocation of resources to be used in a current TTI, and a controller configured to determine if a C-RNTI is present in the control data for a TTI for which a User Equipment (UE) includes persistent downlink resources, determine that the resource allocation indicated on a control channel for the TTI overrides the persistent downlink resources for the TTI, when a C-RNTI is present in the control channel for a TTI for which the UE has persistent downlink resources, and allocate persistent downlink resources for a Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) transmission. |
| US09351291B2 |
Mobile communication system and channel transmission/reception method thereof
A method for transmitting a physical channel in a Time Division Duplex (TDD) communication system capable of carrier aggregation is provided for supporting aggregation of carriers having different TDD configurations. The communication method of a terminal in a TDD radio communication system accomplishing broadband through carrier aggregation of primary and secondary cells, of which aggregated carriers have different TDD Uplink-Downlink (UL-DL) configurations, includes receiving Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) through the secondary cell, and transmitting acknowledgement information corresponding to the PDSCH to a base station, where acknowledgement information is transmitted on a Physical Uplink Control CHannel (PUCCH) of the primary cell. |
| US09351289B2 |
Method for transmitting uplink control information and user equipment, and method for receiving uplink control information and base station
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for uplink transmission/reception of at least one slot in a sub-frame comprising two slots. A base station transmits information which controls the slot performing the uplink transmission among the two slots, to user equipment, and the user equipment performs uplink transmission from the slot directed by the information. When the user equipment transmits ACK/NACK information, the ACK/NACK information is transmitted from the first slot of the user equipment if the CCE associated with the first slot is the CCE included in the PDCCH of the user equipment, and the ACK/NACK information is transmitted from the second slot if the CCE is the CCE associated with the second slot. |
| US09351288B2 |
Uplink channel sounding and channel state information estimation in mobile communication systems with multiple antennas
A system includes a base station configured to communicate with a plurality of mobile stations. The base station transmits downlink timing synchronization and establishes frequency synchronization with at least one of the plurality of mobile stations. The base station receives, from the mobile station, at least one of: coarse sounding reference signal (SRS), and fine SRS. The base processes at least one of the coarse SRS to enable tracking of the preferred uplink (UL) slice for uplink transmissions, and the fine SRS in order to resolve a short-term small-scale channel state information (CSI), estimate a CSI from at least one of the coarse SRS and fine SRS, and perform uplink scheduling and grant. The mobile station performs uplink scheduling request and uplink data communication. |
| US09351284B2 |
Method for communicating in a network, a secondary station and a system therefor
The present invention relates to a method for communicating in a network, comprising a) a secondary station preparing the transmission to a primary station of a message comprising at least a data field for containing data in an allocated resource, said resource comprising a plurality of resource blocks, and b) if the size of the allocated resource is bigger than required for the size of the message, the secondary station dividing the allocated resource in a first portion and a second portion, each portion comprising at least one resource block, c) the secondary station transmitting the message to the primary station in the first portion of the resource, d) the secondary station preventing from transmitting in the second portion of the resource. |
| US09351282B2 |
Service-based approach to channel selection and network configuration for television white space networks
A method for managing channel selection in a dynamic spectrum management network includes receiving a spectrum allocation request; based on the source of the spectrum allocation request, checking for available channels; based on the source of the spectrum allocation request, collecting sensing and usage data for the available channels; providing the channel usage data to an entity that transmitted the spectrum allocation request. |
| US09351281B2 |
Method and apparatus for focused data communications
A method and apparatus for focused communication is disclosed. The method includes a base transmitter array in communication with at least one client device at the same frequency. The base transmitter array provides a focused data communication to the client device. |
| US09351278B1 |
Controlling wireless paging parameters based on device type prevalence
A determination may be made that a region of the RAN is serving more than a threshold extent of WCDs configured for machine-to-machine communication. The region of the RAN may include a set of one or more wireless coverage areas, and each wireless coverage area in the set of wireless coverage areas may include at least one paging channel. The paging channel parameters of each wireless coverage area in the set of wireless coverage areas may be modified to increase a rate at which the RAN successfully pages WCDs via the set of wireless coverage areas. |
| US09351274B2 |
Node and method for priority of application based handling of a paging request
Example embodiments presented herein are directed towards a device, mobility management node and/or a serving gateway, and corresponding methods there, for providing application, service or priority based paging. According to some of the example embodiments, the decision whether or not to issue or accept a paging request may be made based on a priority, application or service (or type of service) associated with the paging request. |
| US09351271B2 |
Device positioning method, apparatus and electronic device based on device cooperativity system
A method, apparatus and electronic device for positioning a device based on a device cooperative system are disclosed. A display screen of a first electronic device is divided into M regions on which N kinds of patterns are displayed; a first cooperative device acquires a pattern of a region where the first cooperative device locates and transmits pattern information to the first electronic device; after receiving the pattern information, the first electronic device judges whether a preset positioning condition is met, and if it is not, adjusts the regions in the display screen to make the first cooperative device continue to acquire the pattern of the region where the first cooperative device locates until the preset positioning condition is met; after the preset positioning condition is met, the first electronic device determines the position where the first cooperative device locates based on the pattern information. |
| US09351269B2 |
Method and system for processing service continuity
A method and system for processing service continuity are provided in the disclosure. The method comprises: a slave ATCF determines that a master ATCF is unavailable; the slave ATCF sends an allocated STN-SR to an SCC AS; the SCC AS sends an ATU-STI and a C-MSISDN to the slave ATCF according to the STN-SR; and the slave ATCF continues a service according to the STN-SR, the ATU-STI, and the C-MSISDN. Therefore, a problem in related art that how to recover a service as soon as possible when an exception occurs in the master ATCF is solved, so that an effect of rapidly continuing the service is achieved when an exception occurs in the master ATCF and there is no registration information of the UE. |
| US09351263B2 |
User equipment and method
One objective of the present invention is to determine an allowed range of transmission power in relaxation of the transmission power of a user equipment. One aspect of the present invention relates to a user equipment comprising: a transmission power lower bound value calculation unit configured to calculate a lower bound value of transmission power of the user equipment by applying a power relaxation factor for relaxing the transmission power; a transmission power upper bound value calculation unit configured to calculate an upper bound value of the transmission power; an allowed transmission power range determination unit configured to calculate tolerances of the calculated lower bound value and upper bound value to compensate for the applied power relaxation factor and determine an allowed range of the transmission power based on the calculated tolerances; and a transmission power determination unit configured to determine the transmission power within the determined allowed range of transmission power, wherein the allowed transmission power range determination unit determines the allowed range of transmission power to compensate for the applied power relaxation factor. |
| US09351262B2 |
Carrier aggregation with power headroom report
Methods, apparatuses, and software can be used for providing power headroom reporting in a telecommunication system. A method can include configuring a user equipment to send a power headroom report control element in uplink, wherein the power headroom report control element includes a bitmap indicating which power headroom reports are being reported. The method can further include receiving the power headroom report control element from the user equipment. The method additionally can include processing the received power headroom report control element based on the configuration of the user equipment. |
| US09351260B2 |
Transmit power control
A method for transmit power control (TPC) is provided. The method includes obtaining a first channel quality of a pilot channel for a user equipment (UE); performing an interference cancellation on the pilot channel to obtain a second channel quality of the channel; and instructing the UE to adjust the transmit power based on at least the first channel quality. |
| US09351255B2 |
Portable information processing device and information processing method
A portable information processing device includes: a sensor configured to detect physical amount which changes according to a location within predetermined space; a first storage unit configured to store an association between the information of the physical amount and location information; a first processor configured to execute an application program; a second storage unit of which the storage capacity is smaller than that of the first storage unit, configured to store a part of the associations; and a second processor, which is connected to the sensor, configured to acquire the current location from the information of the physical amount detected by the sensor, and the associations stored in the second storage unit; wherein the first processor extracts a part of the associations from the associations stored in the first storage unit according to change in the current location due to movement of the portable information processing device. |
| US09351252B2 |
Method and system for wirelessly transmitting data
Methods and systems for wirelessly transmitting data between Wi-Fi stations without requiring the Wi-Fi stations to be fully connected to the Wi-Fi network. A first Wi-Fi station generates the data to be transmitted. The data comprises status data and/or wake-up data. The first Wi-Fi station then inserts the data in a vendor-specific information element of a probe request frame and wirelessly transmits the probe request frame. The probe request frame is then received by a second Wi-Fi station. If the probe request frame contains wake-up data and the second Wi-Fi station is operating in a low-power mode when it receives the probe request frame, the second Wi-Fi station will wake-up from the low-power mode. If the probe request frame contains status data then the second Wi-Fi station may process the probe request frame and/or forward at least a portion of the received probe request frame to another device. |
| US09351247B1 |
Wireless LAN power savings
An access point configured to be implemented in a wireless network, the access point including a beacon module and a transmit module. The access point is configured to communicate with one or more client stations in the wireless network. The beacon module is configured to generate (i) a first beacon and (ii) a second beacon, wherein the first beacon is shorter in duration than the second beacon. The transmit module is configured to periodically transmit, to the one or more client stations in the wireless network, each of the first beacon and the second beacon. Each time the first beacon and the second beacon are transmitted by the transmit module, the first beacon is transmitted prior to the second beacon. |
| US09351241B2 |
Indicating a busy period in a wireless network
An access point may transmit, to a first wireless device, a message indicating a busy period of the access point. The busy period is a time during which the access point will perform wireless operations with at least a second wireless device different from the first wireless device. During the busy period, the access point may refrain from transmitting from the access point to the first wireless device. The message indicating the busy period may include a duration of the busy period. The message indicating the busy period may be included in a portion of a data transmission to the first wireless device. The first wireless device may enter a low power mode (e.g., sleep operating state) responsive to the busy period. |
| US09351239B2 |
Communication device, near-field communication system, and recording medium that facilitate operation as control terminal
A communication device for performing near-field wireless communication with an electronic device includes: a display circuit; a near-field wireless communication circuit that performs the near-field wireless communication; and a control circuit. The control circuit receives information related to a state of the electronic device using the near-field wireless communication when the communication device comes close to the electronic device; and displays the received information related to the state on the display circuit and causes the communication device to transition to a mode corresponding to the information related to the state. |
| US09351235B2 |
Apparatus, and associated method, by which to select packet communication service provider at electronic device
An apparatus, and an associated method, permits a user to select a VoIP, or other packet-communication, service provider to be used pursuant to VoIP, or other packet-communication, services. Selection is made at a wireless device. The selection is communicated to a network entity, and the network entity integrates operations such that subsequent services are provided by way of the selected service provider. |
| US09351231B2 |
Systems, methods, and articles of manufacture to determine connectivity
Systems, methods, and articles of manufacture to determine connectivity are disclosed. An example method includes identifying a radio network controller serving a NodeB, identifying a first connection between the NodeB and an integrated access device, identifying a virtual circuit communicatively coupling the integrated access device and a mobile service node, identifying a second connection between the integrated access device and network termination equipment, identifying a third connection between the network termination equipment and an Ethernet aggregation node, identifying, with the processor, that a pathway between the radio network controller and the NodeB includes the first, second, and third connections, and storing the pathway between the radio network controller and the NodeB. |
| US09351224B2 |
System and method for access point selection
A system and method for priority scan an association with a desired access point is disclosed herein. In one aspect, a wireless station may be associated with a first access point and communicating with the first access point via a contention-based communication protocol. The wireless station may detect movement of the wireless station. Based at least in part on the motion of the wireless station or information regarding at least a second access point, the wireless station may initiate a selective scan for at least the second access point. Based on the scan, the wireless station may then identify at least the second access point. The wireless station may then associate with the second access point based on the movement, an association priority, or information autonomously detected or received from the first or second access point. |
| US09351217B2 |
Method of performing traffic steering in a wireless network system and related wireless network system
A wireless network system includes abase station of a first network and a user equipment camping on the first network. The user equipment receives an indicator, a probability value within a predetermined range, and at least one RAN rule from the base station. When the indicator is set to a specific value, the user equipment generates a random value within the predetermined range. When the at least one RAN rule is satisfied and a probability condition associated with the random value and the probability value is fulfilled, the user equipment steers traffic from the first network to a second network or from the second network to the first network. |
| US09351216B2 |
Supporting a base station to enter and leave sleep mode in a wireless communication system
Two methods of managing the operation mode of a first base station and a second base station are provided. One method uses an operation mode controller that sends respective resource usage status requests to the first and second base stations and receives respective resource usage information reports from the base stations. If the UE resource usage information associated with the first base station and the second base station satisfies a predefined condition, the operation mode controller sends a sleep/wakeup command to the first base station, the sleep command including instructions for the first base station to hand over its UE to the second base station. Next, the operation mode controller notifies the second base station that the first base station is going to enter a predefined sleep or wakeup mode, the wakeup notification including instructions for the second base station to hand over its UE to the first base station. In the other method, a sleep mode request and a corresponding sleep mode response are exchanged directly between a first base station and a second base station. The first base station enters a predefined sleep mode if the second base station responds to the sleep mode request from the first base station. |
| US09351211B2 |
Release with redirect to LTE
A Radio Network Controller (RNC) and method in a non-Long Term Evolution (non-LTE) radio access network for controlling a Release with Redirection (RwR) procedure in which a User Equipment (UE) operating in the non-LTE radio access network is released and redirected to an LTE radio access network. When the RNC detects that the UE has been inactive for a defined period of time, and the UE is capable of operating in the LTE radio access network, the RNC determines whether the UE will have adequate signal quality to operate in the LTE radio access network. If so, the RNC performs the RwR procedure to release the UE from the non-LTE radio access network and redirect the UE to the LTE radio access network. If not, the RNC performs a normal release procedure. |
| US09351210B2 |
Method and device for selecting core network device
A method and a device for selecting a core network device. The method includes: an access network device determining the equipment type of a user equipment (UE); when the equipment type is a machine type communication (MTC) UE, the access network device determining an MTC group identifier corresponding to the UE; when the MTC group identifier corresponds to a core network device, the access network device selecting the core network device corresponding to the MTC group identifier as a core network device which the UE accesses. In the embodiments of the present application, a plurality of MTC UE corresponding to the same MTC group identifier can select the same core network device to access a mobile communication network, and thus being able to save network resources and reduce signaling overhead using a public bearer. |
| US09351208B2 |
Multi-site cell communication method, base station controller, base station, and communication system thereof
The present invention relates to the field of communications technologies and discloses a multi-site cell communication method, a base station controller, a base station, and a communication system thereof to increase cell capacity of a base station based on a multi-site cell technology. A multi-site cell communication method includes: when the terminals that respectively access different subsites occupy different logical channels, handing over terminals, which access different subsites respectively, to a same logical channel. A multi-site cell communication method includes: using a same logical channel to modulate and send downlink data to terminals that access different subsites respectively; and/or receiving and demodulating uplink data that is sent through the same logical channel by the terminals that access different subsites respectively. |
| US09351203B2 |
Voice call continuity in hybrid networks
Voice call continuity is provided for calls that are carried over a hybrid network infrastructure in which access connections are distributed over loosely coupled network portions including a backend network such as a core VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) service network, one or more cellular mobile networks, and a public switched telephone network (“PSTN”). The calls are routed through the core VoIP network regardless of their points of origination or termination in other network portions so that signaling and call context are anchored in the core VoIP network. The conditions under which user equipment operate are continuously monitored so that when a connection is determined to have been unacceptably degraded or is likely to be interrupted, and/or a more optimal connection is available, a handover of the call to another connection is initiated so that call continuity is maintained using the lowest cost connection that provides acceptable call quality. |
| US09351199B2 |
Communication method of wireless terminal and host device according to a network layer data transfer protocol, wireless terminal, and host device
The present invention provides a communication method for a wireless terminal and a host device, a wireless terminal, and a host device. The method includes: reporting, by a wireless terminal, a port type of a port corresponding to the wireless terminal to a host device, where the port type is based on a network layer data transfer protocol, so that the host device drives the port by using a port driver corresponding to the port type; establishing, by the wireless terminal, a communication link that is based on the network layer data transfer protocol between the wireless terminal and the host device through interaction with the host device via the port; and transmitting, by the wireless terminal, a service packet and a type of the service packet via the communication link that is based on the network layer data transfer protocol. |
| US09351193B2 |
Intermediate networking devices
A wireless communication device comprising: one or more network modems enabling the wireless communication device to communicate over a first wireless network; one or more network modems enabling the wireless communication device to communicate with two or more end-point devices over a second wireless network; one or more processors configured to execute one or more instructions; and memory coupled to the one or more processors and configured to provide the one or more processors with the one or more instructions. The one or more instructions, when executed by the processors, cause processors to: establish a first connection between the wireless communication device and a first end-point device; establish a second connection between the wireless communication device and a second end-point device; apply a first control to traffic transmitted by or to the first end-point device; and apply a second control to traffic transmitted by or to the second end-point device. |
| US09351191B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining location information of UE during MDT procedure
Disclosed are a method and device for determining user equipment (UE) positioning information during a minimum drive test (MDT) process to ensure that during the MDT realization process, the acquisition of the UE position information is not limited by the positioning capabilities of a network positioning server or the UE, that is, a network side can determine the UE position information required by the MDT without the positioning support function of the positioning server and the UE. The method of the present invention for determining the user equipment (UE) positioning information during a minimum drive test (MDT) process comprises: selecting a UE in a connected state, and determining an MDT measurement result corresponding to the UE (S101); determining the UE positioning information, and adding the UE positioning information to the MDT measurement result corresponding to the UE (S102). |
| US09351189B2 |
Method for reporting minimization drive test measurement data
A method for reporting minimization of drive tests measurement data is disclosed. The network assigns a preamble dedicated to the reporting of the logged MDT measurement data. The UE in the idle mode may therefore report the logged MDT measurement data in the appropriate situation. The UEs perform the first random access procedure with the network to obtain the uplink resource and a dedicate indicator for performing the second random access procedure. The UEs perform the second random access procedure for transmitting the request message. The network transmits the response message with a scheduling plan according to the request message(s). The UE transmits the logged MDT measurement data according to the scheduling plan. |
| US09351184B2 |
System and method for tuning medium access parameters
Systems and methods for tuning media access parameters are disclosed. In one aspect an access point includes a receiver configured to receive at least one message from a second access point. The access point further includes a processor configured to coordinate with the second access point to select a value of a medium access parameter comprising one of a carrier sense threshold and an energy detection threshold for a wireless station. The processor may generate a message identifying the value of the medium access parameter and may further comprise a transmitter connected to the processor and configured to transmit the message to the station. |
| US09351183B2 |
Apparatus and method for measuring and using congestion in a wireless communication system
A method and apparatus are for receiving a set of individual congestion reports, wherein each individual congestion report comprises a set of congestion values and an associated location. Each individual congestion report has been generated by one of a plurality of user devices operating in a wireless communication system and is based on at least one of a downlink congestion value, an uplink congestion value, and a core congestion value. The set of individual congestion reports is correlated to form one or more local congestion reports. One or more local congestion reports are transmitted to a user device. Additionally or alternatively, user device application interactions with a user device are altered based on the one or more local congestion reports. Additionally or alternatively, network performance parameters are altered to reduce congestion in at least on region based on one or more local congestion reports. |
| US09351179B2 |
Using one or more past channel estimates for adjusting parameters, sensing object presence, or allowing association
Systems and methods can analyze a present channel estimation and a previous channel estimation and/or two or more prior channel estimations to improve communication performance, sense environmental conditions, and make location and velocity determinations. The methods can include: (a) sending, by a transmitter, a first sounding frame and a second sounding frame to a receiver; (b) receiving, by the transmitter, a first channel estimation response from a receiver responsive to the first sounding frame, and a second channel estimation response from the receiver responsive to the second sounding frame; and (c) detecting, by the transmitter, based at least on the first channel estimation response and the second channel estimation response, if a change in characteristics of a channel between the transmitter and the receiver occurred between the first sounding frame and the second sounding frame. |
| US09351177B2 |
Mobile terminal apparatus, radio base station apparatus, radio communication method and radio communication system
The present invention is designed to provide a mobile terminal apparatus, a radio base station apparatus and a radio communication method which, even when a MIMO technique and a CoMP technique are applied together, can optimize the effects of both techniques. The mobile terminal apparatus estimates downlink channel states using reference signals included in downlink signals from a plurality of cells, determines the PMI for each cell and inter-cell phase difference information, from the channel states of the plurality of cells, such that the combinations of the PMI of each cell and inter-cell phase difference information become optimal, measures channel quality from the determined PMIs and inter-cell phase difference information, and transmits the PMI for each cell, the inter-cell phase difference information and channel quality information, to a radio base station apparatus. |
| US09351174B2 |
Method and system for acquiring location information
The present invention provides a method and a system for acquiring location information. The method includes: generating a positioning instruction according to a wireless positioning request initiated by a first client, and pushing the positioning instruction to a wireless communication client; receiving location information obtained when the wireless communication client performs positioning according to the positioning instruction; and sending the location information to the first client. The system includes: a request processing module, configured to generate a positioning instruction according to a wireless positioning request initiated by a first client, and push the positioning instruction to a wireless communication client; a receiving module, configured to receive location information obtained when the wireless communication client performs positioning according to the positioning instruction; and an information sending module, configured to send the location information to the first client. The accuracy can be improved by adopting the present invention. |
| US09351173B2 |
Architecture and methods for traffic management by tunneling in hierarchical cellular networks
A hierarchical cellular network system having a core and comprising a plurality of nodes, wherein at least one node comprises a relay; and wherein at least one relay includes: a tunneling subsystem; a backhauling link subsystem interfacing between the tunneling subsystem and a node which is closer to the core than the relay; and a base station subsystem, interfacing between the tunneling subsystem and a mobile station or a node which is further from the core than the relay, wherein the tunneling subsystem is operative to perform the following, on data arriving from a base station subsystem belonging to another node from among the plurality of nodes: collecting the data; and encapsulating the results to be sent in an individual session into packets and sending the packets to the Backhauling Link Subsystem. |
| US09351170B2 |
Renewable energy base station and coverage adjustment method therefor, and wireless cellular system
It is provided a renewable energy base station, which is used in a wireless cellular system, including: an adjustment request determining part for determining whether an adjustment to a coverage area is required; an adjustment request transceiver in case where it is determined that the adjustment to the coverage area is required, sending a coverage area adjustment request to neighboring base stations in the wireless cellular system, and receiving an adjustment request response from the neighboring base stations; an adjustment request responding part for determining whether the coverage area adjustment request from the one of the neighboring base stations is allowed in case where receiving the coverage area adjustment request from one of the neighboring base stations; and a response transmitter for sending the adjustment request response to the neighboring base stations based on a result of the determination made by the adjustment request responding part. |
| US09351168B2 |
Dynamic network configuration
Disclosed is a wireless communication system comprising a plurality of antennas, a plurality of base stations, each base station being adapted to connect to one or more of the antennas over an available spectrum, and a wireless switching module. The wireless switching module is adapted to allocate one or more portions of the available spectrum to each antenna dependent on a compatibility constraint on the antennas, and assign each antenna for connection to a base station. |
| US09351165B2 |
Identity verifying method, account acquiring method, and mobile terminal
An identity verifying method, an account acquiring method, a mobile terminal, and a storage medium are disclosed, and the account acquiring method includes: receiving, by a first mobile terminal, a user operation of accepting identity verification on the first mobile terminal, playing voice information which is stored in the first mobile terminal and has a correspondence relationship with a user account of a user of the first mobile terminal, and meanwhile collecting voice data of the played voice information using voice receiving means; sending, by the first mobile terminal, verification information comprising the user account and the voice data to a server to allow the server to determine whether the user passes the identity verification according to the verification information; and receiving, by the first mobile terminal, an identity verification result returned by the server. Thus, the voice information is used for identity verification. |
| US09351164B2 |
Secure NFC routing
A processing device of an NFC device receives a request, initiated by a first application loaded in a memory of the NFC device, to modify one or more parameters of an NFC routing table of an NFC router of the NFC device. The NFC routing table has parameters indicating the devices to which NFC messages are to be routed. The processing device retrieves a first identifier associated with the application and transmits the first identifier to the NFC router. The NFC router, based on the first identifier, verifies whether or not the application is authorized to modify the routing table. |
| US09351159B2 |
Method and apparatus for binding universal integrated circuit card and machine type communication device
The disclosure discloses a method and apparatus for binding a UICC and an MTC device to solve a problem of restriction to a binding relationship imposed by a life cycle of a pre-shared key Ks_local when binding of the MTC device and the UICC is implemented by way of GBA-U. With the disclosure, after a binding relationship between the MTC device and the UICC is established on the UICC, when a stored key shared by the MTC device and the UICC expires, a key Ks_local shared by the UICC and the MTC device can be re-established through a process of establishing the shared key Ks_local based on the GBA-U according to the established binding relationship, such that the binding relationship between the UICC and the MTC device is not restricted by the life cycle of a shared key Ks_local. |
| US09351158B2 |
Method for wireless easy connect
A consumer appliance or product having a Wi-Fi embedded device may be connected to a wireless local area network (WLAN) without users having to change networks on their “personal device” e.g., personal computer, tablet computer, smart phone, etc., or having to access the Wi-Fi embedded device in any way, e.g., transparent setup and connection to the user. A specially transmitted data packet, beacon, or other broadcast packet from a client connected to wireless local area network (WLAN) may be used to send an encrypted equivalent of a last stage Wi-Fi protected setup (WPS) transfer that provides network commissioning information to the Wi-Fi embedded device so that it may automatically connect to the WLAN. |
| US09351156B2 |
Physical layer encryption for MIMO communication networks
Systems and methods are provided for encrypting a data transmission from a base station at the physical layer, such that the data transmission can only be decoded successfully by an intended UE. In an embodiment, a desired signal component, including a data signal for an intended UE, is combined with an interference component to generate a signal for transmission. The interference component is designed such that it falls in a null space of the channel from the base station to the intended UE and is therefore not received by the intended UE. In contrast, for an unintended UE, the interference component is designed to interfere with the desired signal component at the unintended UE, preventing the unintended UE from successfully decoding the data transmission. |
| US09351154B1 |
Wireless advertising to initiate pairing
Embodiments relate to configuring a wireless device. The wireless device has a first module implementing a first wireless protocol and a second module implementing a second wireless protocol. After the wireless device identifies a need to configure a second wireless protocol, the wireless device begins periodically wirelessly broadcasting advertisement packets by the first module. Each advertisement packet has a payload storing a configuration request indicator. A host receives one of the advertisement packets, optionally establishes, with the first protocol, a channel with the wireless device. The host transmits a reply packet of the first protocol that contains configuration data for the second wireless protocol. The wireless device uses the reply packet to configure itself for connectivity using the second wireless protocol. |
| US09351153B2 |
Apparatus for end-user transparent utilization of computational, storage, and network capacity of mobile devices, and associated methods
Mobile devices, systems, and methods for end-user transparent utilization of computational, storage, and network capacity of mobile device are described herein. A communication interface may be responsive to a request for a resource from a network of mobile devices. A database may store mobile device information and, in response to the request, identify at least one mobile device having the resource. A virtual machine dispatcher may generate a command to a virtual machine dispatch agent of the at least one mobile device to create a virtual machine to perform the resource. |
| US09351149B2 |
Evolved multimedia broadcast multicast service network sharing and roaming support
Systems, methods, and devices of the various embodiments enable evolved Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (“eMBMS”) network sharing, content sharing, and roaming. The various embodiments may enable Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (“MBMS”) service continuity across different public land mobile networks (“PLMNs”) by associating the same MBMS services providing identical content in different PLMNs with each other. In an embodiment, service discovery may be provisioned to a receiver device when or after the receiver device is attached to a PLMN. In an embodiment, content sharing across different PLMNs may be supported by a user service description indicating the different temporary mobile group identifiers (“TMGIs”) of the same service across different PLMNs. In another embodiment, content sharing across different PLMNs may be supported by a user service description indicating the same TMGI for the same service across different PLMNs. In an embodiment, MBMS keys may be shared across PLMNs. |
| US09351148B2 |
Systems, methods, and computer readable media for providing dynamic steering of roaming in a telecommunications network
Systems, methods, and computer readable media for providing dynamic steering of roaming in a telecommunications network are disclosed. According to one aspect, a method for providing dynamic steering of roaming in a telecommunications network includes a method for providing dynamic steering of roaming in a telecommunications network. The method includes, at a mobile telecommunications device, the device being associated with a subscriber of a first network carrier, receiving, from a source other than an operator of the first network carrier, information identifying a second network carrier that is different from the first network carrier. Based on the received information, the device either makes a change to a preferred roaming network carrier for the device by setting the second network carrier as a preferred roaming network carrier for the device, or connects to the second network carrier, where the second network carrier is not a preferred roaming network carrier for the device, and without changing the preferred roaming network carrier for the device. |
| US09351143B2 |
Multi-homed peer-to-peer network
Techniques are provided for efficient peer-to-peer (P2P) service discovery and group formation, as well as maintenance of P2P session continuity. In one example, there is provided a method, operable by an originating user equipment (UE), that may involve transmitting a request for P2P service discovery and group formation assistance to a discovery server via a serving node over an air-interface channel. The method may involve receiving scoped information from the discovery server for participating in a P2P communication session, and establishing the P2P communication session with at least one terminating UE based at least in part on the received scoped information. The method may involve maintaining P2P communication session continuity by reverting to bearer signaling via a packet core. |
| US09351142B2 |
Text message generation for emergency services as a backup to voice communications
A mobile device may detect when a calling party dials an emergency service to request emergency assistance. Following input of the dialed digits, the device may automatically generate a text message in addition to initiating a voice call, both of which may be transmitted over a wireless data network. The wireless network may correlate the two calls as originating from the same emergency situation and may attempt to deliver the two calls to a Public Services Answering Position (PSAP) at an appropriate emergency center. If the PSAP does not receive a voice call, the PSAP may communicate with the device via test messaging. |
| US09351141B2 |
Headset computer with handsfree emergency response
Operating conditions for a headset computer are used to detect a situation where an emergency response mode should be activated. In emergency response mode, the headset computer may then broadcast location, live (real time) audio and video/data streams, and record other information concerning a possible theft and/or other situation of interest to law enforcement and/or security services. |
| US09351135B2 |
Trigger message sending method, device and system
The present invention discloses a trigger message sending method, device and system, which relate to the field of communications technologies and can resolve a problem that a Machine Type Communications-Inter Working Function MTC-IWF device and a short message service-service center SMS-SC repeatedly send a trigger Trigger message to a user equipment UE. The method includes: receiving, by the MTC-IWF device, a delivery report sent by the SMS-SC, where the delivery report is sent to the MTC-IWF device by the SMS-SC after the SMS-SC fails to send the trigger message to the UE; and waiting, by the MTC-IWF device according to the delivery report, for the SMS-SC to resend the trigger message, or resending, by the MTC-IWF device, the trigger message according to the delivery report. The present invention is mainly used in a process of sending a trigger message. |
| US09351133B2 |
Systems and methods for managing incoming calls
A system is provided that provides for the prioritization of incoming calls to a communications device based on respective caller profiles. Each profile may include a caller priority value. The system may prioritize an incoming call based on the priority value. The priority value may be updated manually or automatically in accordance with a variety of factors. While the communications device receive an incoming call while an existing call is active, the communications device may request a call management command at the communications device or provide a notification that an incoming call has been received and is pending in accordance with the respective caller profile. |
| US09351132B2 |
Event notification in a half duplex communication environment
The present invention is directed towards providing event-triggered communication in a half duplex communication environment of a wireless communication network (10). A first end terminal (12) sends a selection of an end terminal (14) in a group of terminals to act as an event notifying device to a server (22). The event notifying device (14) compares an event with a threshold and sends an event notifier to the server if the event exceeds the threshold. If it receives the event notifier, the server prioritises data from the event notifying device over ongoing communication sessions for other devices in the group, receives data from the event notifying device associated with the event notifier and transports data indicative of the event to other devices of the group, in order to inform them of the event. |
| US09351131B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating communication group by dynamically determining a group owner
Methods and apparatus are provided for generating a communication group. An input for initiating generation of the communication group is received while the terminal operates in a communication group generation mode. One or more communication group participant terminals are sought in response to the input. When at least one communication group participant terminal is found, it is determined whether an owner terminal of the communication group exists among the at least one communication group participant terminal based on predetermined priority determination criteria. When the owner terminal of the communication group exists, an invitation message is received from the owner terminal. The owner terminal is connected to upon reception of the invitation message. |
| US09351124B1 |
Location detection and communication through latent dynamic network interactions
A method is performed by a first connected sensor having accurate location data and includes detecting an identifying signal of a second sensor in proximity to the first sensor. The method includes electronically transmitting to the second sensor a set of one or more electronic transactions locally stored at the first sensor and electronically receiving from the identified second sensor a set of one or more electronic transactions locally stored at the second sensor, wherein at least one of the first and second sets of electronic transactions comprises transaction data with one or more objects of interests. The method includes merging the two sets of electronic transactions into an updated set of electronic transactions and transmitting the updated set of electronic transactions to a current state database, wherein the updated transactions may be accessed by a location server to determine the location of the one or more objects of interest. |
| US09351122B1 |
Location grouping
A device, method and/or system for a wireless communications device with a memory, a processor, and a group management module to receive information indicating a list of communications devices determined to be stationary or quasi-stationary relative to one another and a FTM (Fine Timing Measurement) module adapted to determine location information using the information. |
| US09351117B2 |
Use of a trained classifier to predict distance based on a pair of wireless scans
The present disclosure describes methods, systems, and apparatuses for determining the distance between two wireless scans of a mobile computing device. The distance is determined by scanning for wireless networks with a computing device. The scanning includes a receiving a plurality of network attributes for each wireless networks within the range of the mobile computing device. Further, the distance is determined by comparing the plurality of network attributes from the scanning with a reference set of network attributes. The comparing of network attributes is used to determine an attribute comparison. Finally, the distance between a position associated with the reference set of network attributes and the computing device, based on the attribute comparison, determines a position associated with the network. |
| US09351114B2 |
Generating geofences
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for generating geofences. One of the methods includes receiving, at a mobile device, a signal emitted by a merchant device associated with a merchant. If the signal is emitted by a merchant device associated with a merchant and the distance between the mobile device and the merchant device satisfies a threshold, a notification is provided on the mobile device indicating proximity of the merchant associated with the merchant device. |
| US09351111B1 |
Access to mobile location related information
Access to location information related to mobile devices is disclosed. A component can receive a subscription request related to returning location related data associated with a set of network event locating system (NELOS) information. NELOS information can be received from a NELOS component and can be derived from timed fingerprint location (TFL) information associated with a user equipment (UE). TFL information and NELOS information can be distinct from location information determined from conventional techniques which can provide for additional benefit. The subscription request can indicate continuing access to location information without subsequent requests. Moreover, access can be via a push of information to a subscribing device. |
| US09351110B2 |
Mobile notifications based upon location
Disclosed are various embodiments employed to generate device notifications based upon location data associated with a mobile device. To this end, a request to generate a device notification is obtained from a user application. Notification content is extracted from the request and an escalated or de-escalated notification level is applied that is based at least in part upon the location of the mobile device and properties about the location that can be identified. |
| US09351109B2 |
Method, device and system for enhancing location information
A method, system and apparatus for obtaining enhanced location information for a mobile device. The mobile device is configured to allow a determination of its location, for example via GPS. Location data for the mobile device, exemplarily obtained via GPS, may be further specified using context information for the mobile device. Additional data is obtained and processed to obtain context information for the mobile device. Enhanced location information is determined for the mobile device at least in part based on processing the location data in association with the context information. Additional data may comprise, for example, ambient noise, speech, images or text. |
| US09351108B2 |
Information processing system, information processing terminal, information processing method, program, and information storage medium
The present invention is to facilitate finding of a user expected to have a high relevance among other users present in the same living area when identification information of these other users is displayed as a list. A location information acquirer acquires location information showing a location measured in an information processing terminal. A display controller (70) carries out control to make identification information of a plurality of users be displayed on a specific terminal. The display controller (70) carries out control to make the identification information of the plurality of users be displayed in order according to timing when a reference location is measured by the specific terminal or the number of times of existence of a location shown by location information acquired from the information processing terminal corresponding to a user as a subject of display control in an area including the reference location about a case in which the location shown by the location information acquired from the information processing terminal corresponding to the user as the subject of the display control exists in the area including the reference location. |
| US09351103B2 |
Communication device, communication system, and communication method
A communication device includes transmission paths on a plurality of channels, operable to transmit a signal between the communication device and a communication partner device in communication with the communication device in such a manner that the communication device and the communication partner device are brought into contact with or in close proximity to each other. Electric fields of signals in the transmission paths on the plurality of channels are oriented orthogonal to each other. |
| US09351101B2 |
Communication method and apparatus for NFC device and NFC device
A communication method and apparatus for a near field communication (NFC) device and the NFC device, where the method includes determining a radio frequency (RF) protocol supported by at least one discovered target NFC device; and selecting, according to an RF protocol level or an RF protocol priority, an RF protocol for performing NFC from the RF protocol supported by the at least one target NFC device so as to perform communication with a target NFC device corresponding to the RF protocol determined by selection. The communication method and apparatus provided in the embodiments of the present invention solve a problem that a probability of finding a target NFC device matched with an NFC controller (NFCC) chip function on a local NFC device is low and a problem that device host (DH) resource consumption and power consumption incurred thereof are high. |
| US09351094B2 |
Spatially aware smart device provisioning
Various system and techniques for spatially aware smart device provisioning are described herein. Location data indicating a physical location of the configuration device can be received from the configuration device. A subset of one or more smart devices can be received from a device management module. The subset of one or more smart devices can be based on stored physical locations of each smart device of one or more smart devices and a predetermined area. The subset of smart devices can be presented to the configuration device. The configuration device can present the subset of smart devices to a user and accept a user selection of a smart device from the subset of smart devices to provision. The user selection of the smart device can be received. The smart device can be provisioned based on the user selection. |
| US09351090B2 |
Method of checking earphone wearing state
An information processing apparatus that detects an output from a 3-axis acceleration sensor included in an earphone unit worn by a user while the user is in a still state; monitors the output of the 3-axis acceleration sensor while a nodding gesture is performed by the user; detects a time when an angle of the nodding gesture reaches a maximum; and determines an earphone wearing state based on the output from the 3-axis acceleration sensor in the still state and the output from the 3-axis acceleration sensor at the time of detecting the maximum nodding angle. |
| US09351089B1 |
Audio tap detection
Techniques are described for recognizing an audio double tap or other tapped audio sequences generated by a user. Amplitudes of an audio signal are processed to generate an energy function or curve. The energy curve is analyzed to detect audio pulses. Detected pulses are validated and double tap events are detected based on features such as duration, power, and/or symmetry, plus additional rules related to the structure of the audio event. |
| US09351085B2 |
Frequency based feedback control
Disclosed herein is a feedback reduction system for used in a hearing prosthesis. The hearing prosthesis will receive an input signal, process the input signal, and create a transformed output. However, the hearing prosthesis may suffer from feedback. Thus, a system to minimize the feedback in a hearing prosthesis may be desirable. One system to minimize the feedback includes down-sample circuitry configured to down-sample a first signal, creating a down-sampled signal. They system also includes a filter circuit. The filter circuit filters both the first signal and the down-sampled signal. The filter will output a filtered signal and a filtered down-sampled signal, respectively. Additionally, the system features up-sample circuitry that up-samples the filtered down-sampled signal. The output of the up-sample circuitry is an up-sampled signal. Further, the system features combining circuitry that creates a feedback-reduced signal based on the up-sampled signal, the filtered signal, and an input signal. |
| US09351084B2 |
Packaging concept to improve performance of a micro-electro mechanical (MEMS) microphone
A size of a port hole in a package for a micro-electro-mechanical (MEMS) microphone can be modified to improve performance of the MEMS microphone while protecting the MEMS microphone from environmental interference. As an example, the port hole diameter is increased along a thickness of a substrate coupled to the MEMS microphone to reduce air mass loading and air flow resistance and thus, increase the resonant frequency, resonant peak, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and/or a range for flat frequency response of the MEMS microphone. In one aspect, the port hole can be created by mechanical and/or laser drilling. In another aspect, the port hole can be created by forming a cavity in the substrate over a drilled port hole. |
| US09351079B2 |
Flat subwoofer
A flat subwoofer is provided comprising a driver in which a coil is arranged in an air gap in the driver, which coil is connected to a membrane, where the driver is arranged on a chassis, wherein the membrane comprises two interconnected parts, a forward membrane part and rear membrane part, where both membrane parts are substantially symmetrical around an axis perpendicular to the membranes plane, where each membrane part has an outer and an inner periphery where the forward membrane part along an outer periphery is connected to the chassis by a surround, and where the rear membrane part is connected to a spring member which spring member at least partly surrounds the driver. |
| US09351078B2 |
Vibrating panel device for electromagnetic vibrator and its manufacture method
A vibrating panel device for an electromagnetic vibrator includes at least one vibrating panel device. The vibrating panel module includes a base, a vibrating panel and an upper suspension, wherein an inner edge and an outer edge of the upper suspension are respectively connected with the base and the vibrating panel, and form an integrated whole body. Furthermore, two vibrating panel modules are fixedly connected in opposite directions to form the vibrating panel device. When the voice coil drives the vibrating panel to actuate, shaking of the vibrating panels is offset due to interactions between a pair of the suspensions and a pair of the vibrating panels. As a result, the voice coil drives the vibrating panel to process vertical up-and-down stroke. |
| US09351077B1 |
Systems and methods for independent and control-isolated audio processing (ICIAP)
Systems and methods are provided that may implement independent and control-isolated audio processing (ICIAP) to separate and/or control audio streams at multiple levels of sensitivity and/or security. The disclosed systems and methods may be implemented in one example using separate real time digital audio processing and mixing hardware “channels” for each audio stream that are provided within an ICIAP connection system that includes at least one ICIAP audio processing device and a separate control processor, while at the same time incorporating a comprehensive set of interlocks to ensure the separation of audio data streams from one another and from control information, and to ensure authorization in real time for each different audio stream. |
| US09351068B2 |
Obstructed port audio signal alteration
A portable electronic device has an acoustic port having an aperture in a housing having a speaker and pressure sensing transducer incorporated therein. During normal use of the portable electronic device, the aperture of the acoustic port may become obstructed during handling, holstering or surface placement, resulting in reduced sound quality and a waste of energy from a battery powering the device. The pressure sensing transducer detects an obstruction of the acoustic port by detecting an increase in acoustic pressure within the housing or within an acoustic chamber coupling the aperture of the acoustic port to the speaker. In response, acoustic characteristics of the obstructed port speaker's audio are altered to conserve power or enhance audio. Furthermore, acoustic characteristics of speakers of unobstructed acoustic port apertures of the device may also be altered in response to detection of the obstruction. |
| US09351066B2 |
Expandable speaker
A speaker apparatus or system with a user selectably expandable chamber is provided. The chamber in its expanded state enhances the speaker's acoustical properties. The chamber in its collapsed (in physical dimension or shape) state provides a thin profile for increased portability or low profile mounted solutions. The speaker is compatible with current electronics. |
| US09351063B2 |
Bluetooth earplugs
A system and methods for providing a wireless earplug system are described. An earplug includes a wireless receiver/transmitter, a battery, a speaker, a sound canal and an on/off switch. The system also includes a controller including a wireless receiver/transmitter used to transmit wireless signals to the earplug. The earplug receives the wireless signals from the controller and plays audio sounds through the speaker and into the user's ear canal, thus enabling the user to hear the transmitted audio signals while ambient noises are blocked. The controller is also used to control the parameters of the time, duration and type of audio sounds. |
| US09351062B2 |
Microphone unit
A microphone unit (1) is provided with an electro-acoustic transducer (13) which converts acoustic signals into electric signals on the basis of the oscillation of a diaphragm (134), and a housing (10) which contains the electro-acoustic transducer (13). The housing (10) is provided with: a first sound conduction space (SP1) that guides sound waves from the outside to one side of the diaphragm (134) via at least one first aperture (18) formed on the exterior of the housing (10); and a second sound conduction space (SP2) that guides sound waves from the outside to the other side of the diaphragm (134) via at least one second aperture (19) formed on the exterior of the housing (10). The total square area of at least one first aperture (18) and the total square area of at least one second aperture (19) are not the same. |
| US09351061B1 |
Audio accessory for media device
Described in this disclosure is an audio accessory comprising a speaker panel configured to be affixed to a media device such as a tablet computer, smartphone, and so forth. The speaker panel includes one or more speakers configured to provide audio output for the media device. The speaker panel may be configured to fold and act as a stand for the media device as well. In some implementations, the speakers may be detachable from the speaker panel. |
| US09351060B2 |
Modular quick-connect A/V system and methods thereof
A modular speaker system, comprising an exoskeleton, configured to mechanically support and quick attach and release at least one functional panel and an electrical interface provided within the exoskeleton, configured to mate with a corresponding electrical connector of the functional panel. An optional endoskeleton is provided to support internal components. The system preferably provides a digital electronic controller, and the electrical interface is a digital data and power bus, with multiplexed communications between the elements of the system. The elements of the system preferably include at least one speaker, and other audiovisual and communications components. Multiple modules may be interconnected, communicating through the electrical interface. A base module may be provided to provide power and typical control, user and audiovisual interface connectors. |
| US09351059B1 |
Orthogonal open back speaker system
A loudspeaker system has one or more drivers having their back side connected to a duct that is open at the top end and closed at the bottom end. A diverter is attached to the back side of each driver to deflect its back output wave approximately 90 degrees toward the open end of the duct. A pair of woofers are arranged back-to-back and joined together at the bottom of the duct, the front side of each woofer adjacent an opening in the duct. A port aperture is provided at a vertical location in the duct to provide a null at that location. The front wave of the drivers is directed toward the listener and the back wave is directed toward the ceiling, spreading out and down into the room, to be met by the front wave; the opposite phases canceling, eliminating excitation of room resonances and reflections. |
| US09351056B2 |
Planning of optical connections in a WDM optical network
An exemplary technique is provided for planning a plurality of optical connections as a function of a plurality of traffic demand. In a routing step, a loopless network path is allocated to each traffic demand. Each traffic demand is allocated to a candidate optical connection or chain of candidate optical connections selected to carry the capacity of the traffic demand along the loopless network path allocated to the traffic demand. In an optimization step, a reduced set of candidate optical connections is defined by withdrawing the candidate optical connection to be withdrawn. A candidate optical connection or a chain of candidate optical connections is determined to be re-used among the reduced set of candidate optical connections. The traffic demand is re-allocated to the candidate optical connection or chain of candidate optical connections to be re-used. |
| US09351051B2 |
CATV entry adapter and method for distributing CATV and in-home entertainment signals
A cable television (CATV) entry adapter connects to a CATV network and serves as a hub in an In-Home Entertainment (IHE) network. IHE signals may be communicated between passive and active ports of an embodiment of the entry adapter through a pair of directional couplers which allow an IHE-enabled embedded multimedia terminal device (eMTA) at the passive port to communicate with multimedia devices of the IHE network connected to the active ports. An IHE frequency rejection filter is used in some embodiments to confine IHE signal to a single subscriber premise. In some embodiments a bidirectional IHE bandpass filter is used to enable IHE signals to pass between the passive and active ports of the CATV entry adapter. |
| US09351049B2 |
Display device, television, search method and recording medium for searching based on keyword and search system
The present invention provides a television including first to fourth keyword candidate acquiring sections for acquiring a plurality of keyword candidates according to algorisms different from each other; a keyword determining section for causing a display section to display thereon a keyword list including the plurality of keyword candidates thus obtained by the keyword candidate acquiring means, and for determining that a search keyword is to be a keyword candidate selected from the keyword list by an input instruction; and a search scope determining section for causing the display section to display a search scope list of a plurality of search scopes different from each other, and for determining that a search scope to be used for search process with the search keyword is to be a search scope selected from the search scope list by an input instruction. |
| US09351044B1 |
Dynamic interface for mobile devices
A communications device dynamic interface system is provided. The system comprises an at least one communications device and a dynamic interface application, that when executed on the at least one communications device, arranges a plurality of selectable, viewable panes in a virtual carousel format. The system also displays at least one of data and interactive content within the panes, the data and interactive content received from external sources. The system also changes the viewing sequence of the panes on demand and places less frequently viewed panes in a background area of the interface. The system also archives panes not viewed for a predetermined period of time and deletes panes not viewed for a predetermined period of time. |
| US09351043B2 |
Metadata system for real-time updates to electronic program guides
Novel tools and techniques to enable more robust electronic program guides in television distribution systems. Some solutions can obtain data (e.g., from the Internet) about a program listed on an electronic program guide and integrate that data with electronic program guide. In some cases, this information can be obtained and/or updated dynamically, in real-time or near real-time, for example to provide, up-to-date information can be provided in the electronic program guide, rather than requiring the viewer to tune to an information channel. In some cases, the system can provide a generalized electronic program guide that can be rendered by the system to be displayed on a plurality of different devices. |
| US09351042B2 |
Virtual channel table for a broadcast protocol and method of broadcasting and receiving broadcast signals using the same
A virtual channel table for broadcasting protocol and a method for broadcasting by using the virtual channel table includes identification information identifying and permitting discrimination of active and inactive channels contained in the virtual channel table. At a receiver, the virtual channel table transmitted from the transmitting side is parsed, thereby determining whether the current received channel is an active or inactive channel. |
| US09351040B2 |
Method and system for transferring user settings to another user receiving device
A system and method for operating a user receiving device includes a head end associating a first user device with a user account having first user settings. A first user device communicates a device identifier associated with the user receiving device to the head end. The head end communicates the first user settings associated with the user account to the user receiving device. The user receiving device operates with the first user settings. |
| US09351037B2 |
Method and system for contextual advertisement replacement utilizing automatic content recognition
An automatic content recognition (ACR)-enabled connected TV device may be operable to identify, utilizing ACR, viewer interaction and/or viewer information. The ACR-enabled connected TV device may present, utilizing the ACR, a variant of an advertisement in a next ad pod during presentation of content, based on the identified viewer interaction and/or the identified viewer information. The viewer information may comprise customized preferences profile, default preferences setting, viewing habits, time of day and/or location. The viewer information may also comprise objects and/or events captured by an associated camera. When an identified stored episode of a show is presented via DVR playback, the ACR-enabled connected TV device may present, in a next ad pod, a new version of an advertisement, where the new version of the advertisement may be associated with a new episode of the show and presentation of the new version may result in a C3 rating credit. |
| US09351031B2 |
Image display apparatus and method for operating the same
An image display apparatus for receiving and processing a broadcast signal and a method for operating the same are disclosed. The method includes receiving a notification through a network interface or a tuner, generating a promotion card object including the notification by processing the received notification by a card object generator, and displaying the promotion card object on a display. |
| US09351030B2 |
Automatic creation of frame accurate program/commercial triggers for live/automated television programs
Systems, methods and computer program products to insert frame accurate triggers in media programs, by receiving indication that a first tally, of a plurality of tallies, is active, the first tally corresponding to a media program, identifying a type of the first tally, generating a trigger based on the type of the first tally, and inserting a message in the media program responsive to the trigger. |
| US09351029B2 |
Set top/back box, system and method for providing a remote control device
A set top/back box and system and method for providing a remote control device are disclosed. In one embodiment, one or more wireless transceivers are located within a housing, which also interconnectively includes television input/output, a processor, and memory. The set top/back box may establish a pairing with a programmable device, such as a proximate wireless-enabled interactive handheld device having a touch screen display, whereby formatted parallel audiovisual experience instructions, including virtual buttons, may be transmitted to the programmable device for display on the touch screen display to create an experience parallel to the experience on the television. The set top/back box receives and processes virtual remote control functionality input instructions from the programmable device to control amenities associated with the set top/back box. |
| US09351028B2 |
Wireless 3D streaming server
An apparatus, system, method, and computer program product for streaming 3D content from a wireless device to a remote 3D display for the viewing of the 3D content on a larger screen. In some aspects, a wireless streaming server may encode 3D motion picture content in a certain format, where each image frame includes a 2D view concatenated side-by-side with a complementary frame of depth information. The combination of the 2D view and the depth information are capable of being processed by a client display to generate a stereoscopic image representing a 3D view. |
| US09351027B2 |
Program storage, retrieval and management based on segmentation messages
Segmentation messages indicative of locations of upcoming events, such as the start and end of programs and program portions, and/or rights related to the programs and program portions, are used by cable systems and the like to store programs and program portions for later retrieval and transmission to customers on request. Storage, retrieval and management of programming is thereby facilitated. Methods and systems are disclosed. |
| US09351026B2 |
System and method to deliver video content
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, identifying a request to record video content at a multimedia storage device, wherein the video content corresponds to a program having a scheduled broadcast time that occurs during a peak viewing period. Data is obtained to prevent viewing of the video content prior to the broadcast time. The video content, responsive to the identifying of the request, is sent selectively to the multimedia storage device during a non-peak viewing period prior to the peak viewing period. The video content includes the data to prevent the multimedia storage device from sending the video content to another device prior to the time when the program is scheduled to be broadcast. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US09351025B1 |
Systems and methods for providing automatic content recognition to verify affiliate programming
Systems and methods are disclosed herein for an Automatic Content Recognition (ACR) system that determines whether affiliates are adhering to criteria set by content providers. The ACR system, using control circuitry, receives a portion of a media asset, determines a content signature for the portion of the media asset based on audio or visual information presented in the media asset, cross-references the content signature with a database listing a plurality of reference signatures that adhere to a criterion set by a content provider, determines whether the portion adheres to the criterion, and automatically notifies the content provider in response to determining that the portion does not adhere to the criterion. The ACR system includes storage circuitry to store the database. |
| US09351023B2 |
Output of broadcast content with portions skipped
Various arrangements are described for skipping portions of content, such as commercials, from a broadcast television program. The programming content is presented at a reduced presentation rate with the broadcast content being buffered as received. The reduced presentation rate may be less than a broadcast rate at which the content was originally intended to be output for presentation. One or more undesired portions of content may be skipped due to the reduced presentation rate. Commercials may be tagged by a television service provider. |
| US09351018B2 |
Method for receiving viewing-restricted channel
A method for receiving a viewing-restricted channel is disclosed. In one embodiment of the present invention, if a user makes a request for receiving a viewing-restricted channel, a command requesting decoding and transmitting broadcast signals of the viewing-restricted channel is generated and transmitted to a broadcast receiver equipped with a CAS module through a network, and broadcast data decoded at the broadcast receiver is received through the network and played after being processed as audio/video signals. If broadcast signals transcoded in a different bit rate at the broadcast receiver is received, the transcoded broadcast data can be decoded in an appropriate way and played. |
| US09351017B2 |
Method and apparatus for encoding/decoding images using a motion vector of a previous block as a motion vector for the current block
An encoding method and apparatus and a decoding method and apparatus for determining a motion vector of a current block based on a motion vector of at least one previously-encoded or previously-decoded block are provided. The decoding method includes: decoding information regarding a prediction direction from among a first direction, a second direction, and bi-directions, and information regarding pixel values of the current block; determining the prediction direction in which the current block is to be predicted, based on the decoded information regarding the prediction direction, and determining a motion vector for predicting the current block in the determined prediction direction; and restoring the current block, based on the determined motion vector and the decoded information regarding the pixel values, wherein the first direction is a direction from a current picture to a previous picture, and the second direction is a direction from the current picture to a subsequent picture. |
| US09351012B2 |
Method of decoding video data
Provided is a method derives a reference picture index and a motion vector of a current prediction unit, generates a prediction block of the current prediction unit using the reference picture index and the motion vector, generating a residual block by inverse-scan, inverse-quantization and inverse transform, and generates reconstructed pixels using the prediction block and the residual block. Prediction pixels of the prediction block is generated using an interpolation filter selected based on the motion vector. Accordingly, the coding efficiency of the motion information is improved by including various merge candidates. Also, the computational complexity of an encoder and a decoder is reduced by selecting different filter according to location of the prediction pixels determined by the motion vector. |
| US09351008B2 |
Encoding / decoding method and apparatus using a tree structure
An apparatus for encoding image information using a tree structure performs a method by: encoding a partition flag indicating whether each node, starting from a node of an uppermost layer of the tree structure, is divided into nodes of a lower layer; encoding image information of a block corresponding to a node which is not further divided; and encoding additional information including first information on a minimum block size and second information on a difference between the minimum block size and a maximum block size, wherein the first and second information are used for identifying the maximum block size corresponding to the node of the uppermost layer. |
| US09351002B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image pickup apparatus, computer, image processing method and computer readable non-transitory medium
An image processing apparatus that compresses image data according to a compression parameter, includes: a data acquisition section that acquires information on whether photographing condition data is added to the image data inputted or not and content of the photographing condition data; a compression parameter determination section that determines the compression parameter according to an acquisition result of the photographing condition data in the data acquisition section; and a compression processing section that applies compression processing to the image data according to the determined compression parameter, wherein the photographing condition data includes information related to presence or absence of an optical low-pass filter at time of photographing an image of the image data. |
| US09350999B2 |
Methods and systems for processing latticed time-skewed video streams
An apparatus for facilitating reception of multiple representations of a video signal. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a mechanism for receiving plural representations of the video signal corresponding to plural decimated versions of the video signal, associating pictures of the received plural representations of the video signal, and outputting pictures corresponding to information from associated pictures in accordance with a relative temporal order. |
| US09350989B2 |
Moving image coding apparatus, code amount control method, and storage medium
A moving image coding apparatus, a code amount control method, and a code amount control program enable appropriate code amount control to be performed in units shorter than frames. The moving image coding apparatus includes a coding unit, a quantization parameter determination unit, and a target code amount setting unit. The target code amount setting unit designates the number of macroblocks and sets a target code amount as a code amount to be allocated to the designated number of macroblocks. The quantization parameter determination unit calculates, for each macroblock, a quantization parameter to be used in quantization of a current macroblock based on a sum of absolute transformed differences SATD used in a motion estimate process. The moving image coding apparatus performs quantization using the calculated quantization parameter value. |
| US09350984B2 |
Imagers with error generation capabilities
A system may include a camera module having error generation circuitry, and processing circuitry that processes image data from the camera module. The processing circuitry may include error detection circuitry that monitors or otherwise processes the image data to verify correct operation of the camera module. To test for correct operation of the error detection circuitry, the processing circuitry may provide a control signal to the camera module that enables error generation and selects a type of fault for the error generation circuitry to emulate. In response to receiving the control signal, the error generation circuitry may emulate the fault at the camera module to produce faulty image data. The error generation circuitry may emulate the fault by modifying control signals at the camera module or modifying the digital image data stream produced by the camera module. |
| US09350983B2 |
Three-dimensional display
The invention pertains to the display devices and can be used for displaying three-dimensional objects and scenes, particularly, in navigation, machine-aided drafting and engineering systems, for visualization of tomographic information and during complex operations in medicine, during modeling of three-dimensional problems in science and technology, in computer simulators and games, advertising, entertainment etc.Here the three-dimensional display is proposed with a volumetric screen, consisting of package of light-scattering liquid-crystal modulators, and with a video projector on the basis of microdisplay for generating images of three-dimensional object sections in the planes of light-scattering liquid-crystal modulators, where as the electrooptic medium in the light-scattering liquid-crystal modulators of the volumetric screen and in the microdisplay of video projector, the liquid crystals of smectic type with ferroelectric properties (FLC) under specified boundary conditions were chosen. |
| US09350981B2 |
Image display system, shutter glasses, and display apparatus
To adaptively perform display control by a display apparatus in accordance with characteristics of shutter glasses, the state of a viewer wearing the shutter glasses, etc.Glasses information, such as the chromaticity point, the luminance, and the opening response time when a shutter is opened, which is dependent on the material of a liquid crystal used for the shutter, is sent from shutter glasses 13 to a display apparatus. A display apparatus 11 receives glasses information from the shutter glasses 13 worn by a viewer, and performs image correction, such as chromaticity point correction and luminance adjustment, and opening/closing control timing control, on each of a left-eye image and a right-eye image. It is possible to provide three-dimensional images with correct colors, suitable luminance, and small crosstalk without being dependent on the viewer's subjectivity. |
| US09350980B2 |
Crosstalk suppression in a directional backlight
Disclosed is a light guiding valve apparatus including a light valve, a two dimensional light emitting element array and an input side arranged to reduce light reflection for providing large area directional illumination from localized light emitting elements with low cross talk. A waveguide includes a stepped structure, in which the steps may include extraction features hidden to guided light propagating in a first forward direction. Returning light propagating in a second backward direction may be refracted or reflected by the features to provide discrete illumination beams exiting from the top surface of the waveguide. Stray light falling onto a light input side of the waveguide is at least partially absorbed. |
| US09350979B2 |
Display device
A display device including: an image display section in which unit pixels each composed of a plurality of sub-pixels corresponding to a plurality of colors are arranged; and an optical element having a window section allocating light emitted from the image display section in units of the sub-pixels to a plurality of viewpoints, wherein a color arrangement of the sub-pixels of the image display section or an arrangement of the window section of the optical element is set such that, when the image display section is viewed from each of the plurality of viewpoints, in an arrangement of colors of light allocated by the window section of the optical element, a same color is not arranged linearly in a predetermined number of sub-pixels or more in succession in any of a row direction, a column direction, and an oblique direction. |
| US09350974B2 |
Image capturing device and image capturing method of stereo moving image, and display device, display method, and program of stereo moving image
If there is a discrepancy between a capturing system and a display system of a stereoscopic moving image, the phenomena, such as that the contour of a motion area of an image looks double, may occur, thus posing a problem in the quality of a reproduced image. An image capturing device capturing a stereoscopic moving image includes: an image capturing unit configured to capture a right-eye moving image and a left-eye moving image constituting the stereoscopic moving image, respectively; a unit configured to set an image capturing mode corresponding to the display system of a display device displaying the stereoscopic moving image; and a synchronous signal control unit configured to supply to the image capturing unit a synchronous signal used for capturing the right-eye moving image and the left-eye moving image, respectively, and control a phase of the synchronous signal to supply in accordance with the set image capturing mode. |
| US09350973B2 |
Three-dimensional mapping and imaging
Imaging apparatus includes an illumination subassembly, which is configured to project onto an object a pattern of monochromatic optical radiation in a given wavelength band. An imaging subassembly includes an image sensor, which is configured both to capture a first, monochromatic image of the pattern on the object by receiving the monochromatic optical radiation reflected from the object and to capture a second, color image of the object by receiving polychromatic optical radiation, and to output first and second image signals responsively to the first and second images, respectively. A processor is configured to process the first and second signals so as to generate and output a depth map of the object in registration with the color image. |
| US09350969B2 |
Target region filling involving source regions, depth information, or occlusions
Target region filling techniques are described. Techniques are described in which stereo consistency is promoted between target regions, such as by sharing information during computation. Techniques are also described in which target regions of respective disparity maps are completed to promote consistency between the disparity maps. This estimated disparity may then be used as a guide to completion of a missing texture in the target region. Techniques are further described in which cross-image searching and matching is employed by leveraging a plurality of images. This may including giving preference to matches with cross-image consistency to promote consistency, thereby enforcing stereo consistency between stereo images when applicable. |
| US09350961B2 |
Video display device and television receiving device
The present invention makes possible video expressions with increased feeling of brightness and increased contrast feeling and to be able to prevent the feeling of brightness and the contrast feeling from becoming unnatural during execution of the multi-screen display. This video display device comprises: a control portion (a signal processing portion (1); an area-active-control/luminance-stretch-portion (4)) that controls a displaying portion (8) and a backlight portion (6); and a display instruction detection portion (13a) that detects display instructions of first and second input video signals. The control portion stretches and increases the luminance of the backlight portion (6), and also controls a light emitting portion enhancement processing according to a result of the detection. In the light emitting portion enhancement processing, the display luminance of a light emitting portion is enhanced by producing a histogram by integrating number of pixels for a predetermined feature amount relating to the brightness of the input video signal, detecting an upper region of a predetermined range of the histogram as the light emitting portion, and reducing luminance of a video signal of non-light emitting portion except the light emitting portion of the input video signal. |
| US09350956B2 |
Capturing and processing instant drug test results using a mobile device
Systems, methods, and apparatus allow for capturing the results of drug tests using mobile devices. One or more implementations include apparatus that interface a mobile computing device with a drug test, while ensuring that an imaging device of the mobile computing device is optically aligned with a test display areas of the drug test. One or more additional implementations include a method for analyzing drug testing results. The method includes receiving and analyzing drug testing data, which includes an identification of a type drug testing apparatus being used at a remote testing device, and an image that visually represents a portion of a drug test. The method also includes analyzing the test results of the drug test based on the identification of the type drug testing apparatus. |
| US09350953B2 |
Optical transmission system
The present invention provides an optical transmission system that optically transmits an optical signal between a camera adaptor provided to a video camera and a base station provided at a position remote from the video camera. In the optical transmission system, the camera adaptor includes a control signal input unit that receives a control signal including a return signal component, a video selecting unit that outputs, to the exterior, the camera video signal component of the first electric signal of the return video signal component of the second electric signal based on a state of the return signal component, and a control signal separating unit that outputs the control signal other than the return signal component. |
| US09350949B2 |
Flexible format media content and method for providing same
There is presented a method for providing a media content, one embodiment comprising recording a first version of a movie on a first content medium in a first format, encrypting one or more content supplement to the movie, each content supplement having a format different from the first format, embedding at least one encryption key in each content supplement, providing a retrieval code for key data enabling playback of the content supplement, and bundling the content supplement and the retrieval code for distribution with the first content medium. In one embodiment, a flexible format media bundle comprises a first content medium, a first version of a media content recorded on the first content medium in a first format, at least one content supplement having a different format, at least one encryption key, and a retrieval code enabling access to the content supplement. |
| US09350948B2 |
Method and system for providing video service
A method and a system for providing a video service for distributing a plurality of multipoint control units (MCU) in an MCU cluster to forward the video service via a controller are provided. The method includes, through a first MCU among the MCUs, receiving the video service published by the publisher terminal. The method also includes forwarding the video service from the first MCU to at least one second MCU among the MCUs, and establishing at least one nice connection corresponding to the video service in the second MCU. In addition, at least one subscriber terminal receives the video service through the at least one nice connection. Accordingly, the method can provide sufficient resources of the video service to the subscriber terminals by dynamically distributing system resources of a plurality of the MCUs. |
| US09350944B2 |
Connecting to an onscreen entity
A method for identifying unknown third parties appearing within video call data based on generated image characteristics data. A user's computing device and a participant computing device may exchange and render video call data in which the user's computing device may display the unknown third-party. The user's computing device may generate image characteristics data based on selected imagery. The user's computing device may compare the image characteristics data to stored contact information on the user's computing device to find a match, and may transmit the image characteristics data to the participant computing device for comparison with local stored information stored. The participant computing device may transmit a report message to the user's computing device indicating whether a match is found. In an embodiment, a server may transmit the facial data to other devices for comparison. In another embodiment, the user's computing device may request contact information from participant computing devices. |
| US09350943B2 |
Video picker
There is provided a method comprising: receiving at a first device a first video; receiving at the first device an indication that the first video was selected by a user of a second device from a set of pre-recorded videos; and causing the first video to be displayed, via a display, in conjunction with an indication that the first video was selected by the user of the second device from a set of pre-recorded videos. |
| US09350941B2 |
Method for connecting video communication to other device, video communication apparatus and display apparatus thereof
The present invention relates to a method of switching video communication received from a video communication apparatus to an external device, which can include receiving a video communication; receiving a request for switching the received video communication to a first external device, and transmitting at least one of audio and video) data according to the video communication to the first external device. |
| US09350940B1 |
Privacy control for a visual-collaborative system
A visual-collaborative system including a display screen configured to display images captured at a remote location and a camera configured to capture an image of an object to be transmitted to a remote location. The visual-collaborative system also includes a privacy controller configured to transmit the image comprising a first fidelity in response to the object located in a designated proximity area and to transmit the image comprising a second fidelity in response to the object located outside the designated proximity area. |
| US09350936B2 |
Controlling playback of recordings
A method of operating a user device for receiving and recording media content. The method includes receiving a media content stream, and initial timing data, such as EPG data, indicative of the time at which a selected program contained within the media content stream is scheduled to begin. At least a portion of the media content stream containing the selected program is recorded to a memory using the initial timing data to determine the recording start and finish time. Second updated timing data, indicative of the time at which the program began, is also received. A portion of the recorded media content stream is then deleted between the beginning of the recording and the beginning of the program as identified by the second timing data. A corresponding apparatus and appropriate computer program are also provided. |
| US09350930B2 |
Unit pixel of stacked image sensor and stacked image sensor including the same
A unit pixel of a stacked image sensor includes a stacked photoelectric conversion unit, a first and second signal generating units. The stacked photoelectric conversion unit includes first, second and third photoelectric conversion elements that are stacked on each other. The first, second and third photoelectric conversion elements collect first, second and third photocharges based on first, second and third components of incident light. The first signal generating unit generates a first pixel signal based on the first photocharges and a first signal node and generates a second pixel signal based on the second photocharges and the first signal node. The second signal generating unit generates a third pixel signal based on the third photocharges and a second signal node. At least a portion of the second signal generating unit is shared by the first signal generating unit. |
| US09350928B2 |
Image data compression using stacked-chip image sensors
Imaging systems may be provided with stacked-chip image sensors. A stacked-chip image sensor may include a vertical chip stack that includes an array of image pixels and processing circuitry. The image pixel array may be coupled to the processing circuitry through an array of vertical metal interconnects. The image pixel array may be partitioned into image pixel sub-arrays configured to capture image data at a capture frame rate. The processing circuitry may compress image data associated with each image pixel sub-array in parallel and may output the compressed image data to off-chip image processing circuitry at an output frame rate that is less than the capture frame rate. The processing circuitry may determine respective compression block sizes for each image pixel sub-array with which to compress the associated image data and may determine respective output frame rates for image data from each image pixel sub-array. |
| US09350922B2 |
Image sensing method and image sensor utilizing the method
An image sensor, which comprises: an image sensing matrix, comprising at least one image sensing unit, for generating at least one image sensing signal according to a sensed image; an amplifier, for amplifying the image sensing signal to be an amplified image sensing signal according to at least one amplifying parameter; an operational circuit, for computing at least part of brightness of the sensed image sensed by the image sensing unit according to the amplified image sensing signal to generate at least one operational brightness signal; and a control unit, for adjusting the amplifying parameter, such that brightness information generated based on brightness values, which corresponds to the operational brightness signal, falls in a predetermined range. |
| US09350919B2 |
Image pickup apparatus
Provided is an image pickup apparatus including a zoos lens and a solid-state image pickup element. The zoom lens includes a first lens unit having a negative refractive power, an aperture stop, and a second lens unit having a positive refractive power. The first lens unit consists of a first lens sub-unit having a negative refractive power, which consists of two negative lenses, and a second lens sub-unit having a positive refractive power. The first lens unit and the second lens unit are configured to move in different loci for zooming. Each of a full-open f-number (Fnow) of the zoom lens, a focal length of the zoom lens, a focal length of the first lens sub-unit, and a pixel pitch (P) of the solid-state image pickup element is appropriately set. |
| US09350918B1 |
Gesture control for managing an image view display
Approaches are described for managing an image displayed on a computing device. An image of an object is displayed on an interface of the device. An activation movement performed by a user (such as a forward and backward motion) can cause the device to enable an image view control mode (such as a zoom control mode) that can be used to adjust a portion of the image being displayed on the interface. The activation movement can also be used to set a detection range, where a movement of the device within the range can cause the device to adjust the displayed image based on the image view control mode. Thereafter, in response to a motion being detected (such as moving the device towards the object), the device can adjust a portion of the image being displayed on the interface, such as displaying a “zoomed in” portion of the image. |
| US09350917B2 |
Misregistration correction
A method of misregistration correction in a line scanning imaging system includes: generating a model of scan motion over a focal plane of the imaging system, using a coupled system of scan equations with constant coefficients; estimating programmed motion positions across a plurality of detector junction overlap regions via a state transition matrix solution to the scan equations; at each detector junction overlap region, measuring actual motion positions via image correlation of overlapping detectors; generating differences between the actual motion positions and the estimated programmed motion positions; estimating updates to the constant coefficients based on the generated differences; generating corrections from the estimated updates to remove unwanted motion; and applying the updates to the constant coefficients. |
| US09350913B2 |
Assisted text input for computing devices
Various approaches provide for detecting and recognizing text to enable a user to perform various functions or tasks. For example, a user could point a camera at an object with text, in order to capture an image of that object. The camera can be integrated with a portable computing device that is capable of taking the image and processing the image (or providing the image for processing) to recognize, identify, and/or isolate the text in order to send the image of the object as well as recognized text to an application, function, or system, such as an electronic marketplace. |
| US09350912B2 |
Portable device, information processing method, and program
There is provided a portable device that transmits an image obtained through photographing to another device managed in association with the portable device each time when photographing is performed, receives the image transmitted from the other device each time when photographing is performed in the other device, and displays the image received from the other device. |
| US09350911B2 |
Image acquisition
An image acquisition technique includes obtaining information regarding a client ticket within a document of a TWAIN-compliant application and determining if a status associated with the client ticket is complete or incomplete based at least in part on server ticket information associated with the client ticket. An image may then be received for the client ticket if the status associated with the client ticket is complete and the client ticket may be replaced in the document of the TWAIN-compliant application with the image. |
| US09350910B2 |
Operation device, imaging device, and remote imaging system
An operation device includes an operation unit, a command generation unit configured to generate an operation command for an imaging device provided in the operation unit, a wireless communication unit configured to transmit the operation command to the imaging device, and receive image data transmitted from the imaging device, based on a QoS representing a priority of transmission/reception, and a QoS setting unit configured to set a QoS of a priority command to a value which is higher than a QoS of the image data when the operation command generated by the command generation unit is the priority command having a higher transmission priority than the image data received by the wireless communication unit. |
| US09350909B2 |
Remotely controlled crowd-sourced media capture
The disclosed technology receives at a second computing device a message from a first computing device comprising at least an indication of a physical motion, a requested motion, or an indication of a camera control operation. The indicated motion can correspond to a physical motion made to the first computing device. The indicated camera control operation can correspond to a camera control operation made at the first computing device. The technology requests to physically move the second computing device if the received message indicates a motion; and controls a digital camera associated with the second computing device if the received message indicates a camera control operation made at the first computing device. |
| US09350906B2 |
Encapsulant module with opaque coating
The invention provides an encapsulant module for an image sensor device. The module includes an outer frame, a set of optical elements, and an opaque coating. The outer frame includes an enclosing wall and a first opening surrounded by the enclosing wall. The set of optical elements connects to and is disposed in the enclosing wall. The opaque coating overlies the enclosing wall. |
| US09350905B2 |
Image signal processing apparatus, image signal processing method, and image capturing apparatus
An image signal processing apparatus includes an image signal input unit; a gradation decrease evaluation device that evaluates a decrease in gradation within a certain area in image signals; a gradation loss evaluation device that evaluates a degree of gradation loss within a certain area in image signals; an image signal correction device that performs signal level correction processing on image signals and outputs the processing result; and an image signal correction control device that controls strength of correction by the image signal correction unit, using both the gradation decrease evaluated value which is output by the gradation decrease evaluation device and the gradation loss evaluated value which is output by the gradation loss evaluation unit. |
| US09350903B2 |
Image processing apparatus and image processing method which adjusts image inspection to match variations in the ejection state of the printing element
Because the ejection state of a printing element in a printing apparatus may vary at all times, an inspection item for inspecting a printed image may be set in consideration of the ejection state of the printing element. An inspection item for inspecting a printed image may be set based on information including a temperature characteristic of a printing head and a state of ink such as an elapsed time from the last ejection. This allows image inspection that matches with variations in the ejection state of the printing element. |
| US09350900B2 |
Information processing apparatus, and user authentication method for information processing apparatus
An information processing apparatus to execute an application includes first and second authentication units, first and second storage units, a request unit, and an application execution unit. The first authentication unit authenticates a user of the information processing apparatus. The first storage unit stores first certification information relating to the authentication of a user. The request unit requests a second authentication unit to perform authentication required to execute the application using the first certification information when the application is executed based on an instruction from the user authenticated by the first authentication unit. The application execution unit executes the application when the authentication performed by the second authentication unit based on the request by the request unit has succeeded. The second storage unit stores second certification information relating to the second authentication unit authentication required to execute the application after associating the second certification information with the first certification information. |
| US09350897B2 |
Image processing device which inserts markers into documents
An image processing device inserts an AR (Augmented Reality) marker in documents. The AR marker is to deliver an air tag which corresponds to the AR marker from an air tag server to a terminal device, when the terminal device which reads the AR marker satisfies deliver conditions. The image processing device identifies the air tag which is to be delivered from among air tags stored in the air tag server. The image processing device acquires the AR marker which corresponds to the air tag which is to be delivered from the air tag server. The image processing device inserts the acquired AR marker into the document. |
| US09350894B2 |
Image capturing system
An image capturing system includes an image capturing unit to photograph a medium placed on a medium installation face, a lighting unit disposed in a top unit to irradiate the medium installation face, a lighting control unit to perform driving control of the lighting unit, a scan instruction unit to issue an instruction to perform scanning to photograph the medium and to generate image data of the medium, and a non-readable area determining unit to determine whether or not there is a non-readable area based on an image of the medium obtained by photographing the medium with in a turned-on state of the lighting unit. When there is the non-readable area, the scanning is performed by turning off the lighting unit when the lighting unit was in a turned-on state, and when there is not the non-readable area, the scanning is performed in the turned-on state of the lighting unit. |
| US09350892B2 |
Image processing apparatus and image processing method
An image processing apparatus processes image data configured of pixels disposed in grid form. The apparatus includes an obtaining unit that obtains distortion characteristics indicating characteristics of distortion in a target contained in original image data obtained by capturing an image of the target, and a correction unit that, using a sampling function, interpolates a pixel of interest in the original image data, based on pixels of the original image data present in a reference region in the periphery of the location of the pixel of interest. The correction unit changes the range of the reference region, the frequency characteristics of the sampling function, or both in accordance with the distortion characteristics. |
| US09350891B2 |
Image forming system, image forming apparatus, and non-transitory computer readable recording medium storing a setup program
An image forming apparatus and a user terminal apparatus are connected to a network. In the image forming apparatus, an input device receives an input of an identification code unique to the user terminal apparatus on the basis of a user operation, and an apparatus information transmitting unit searches for a user terminal apparatus on the network using the identification code and transmit apparatus information on this image forming apparatus to the found user terminal apparatus. In the user terminal apparatus, an identification code managing unit displays an identification code unique to this user terminal apparatus on the display device, an apparatus information acquiring unit receives the apparatus information transmitted from the image forming apparatus to which the identification code was inputted, a driver setup unit sets up the driver program on the basis of the received apparatus information. |
| US09350890B2 |
Image forming apparatus and control method for the image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus capable of improving convenience for a user is provided. This image forming apparatus includes: a non-volatile storage portion that stores beforehand each snapshot picked out from a plurality of snapshots which are obtained by dividing an image when firmware for executing a plurality of kinds of jobs is deployed; a priority storage portion that stores priorities when putting the plurality of kinds of jobs into an executable state; an operation portion that accepts a setting change of the priority to be stored into the priority storage portion; and a volatile storage portion that at a power input time, based on the priorities stored in the priority storage portion, acquires and deploys a snapshot necessary for execution of each job in an order of a highest-priority job to a lowest-priority job, thereby putting first the job having the highest priority into the executable state. |
| US09350889B2 |
Image forming apparatus capable of reducing power consumption, control method therefor, and storage medium
An image forming apparatus that uses a Web application and is capable of performing image processing without delay and reducing power consumption. The image forming apparatus communicates with a Web server. A scanner unit reads an image, and a printing unit prints the image. Power is supplied to at least one of the scanner unit and the printing unit. A user interface unit displays an operating screen based on data transmitted from the Web server, and based on the data, power is supplied selectively to the scanner unit or the printing unit. |
| US09350888B2 |
Image-reading apparatus
An image-reading apparatus includes a housing having an insertion slot for inserting single medium or plural media, a conveying unit that conveys the single medium or plural media into the housing, an image capturing unit that captures an image of the single medium or plural media conveyed, a control unit that controls at least the conveying unit and the image capturing unit, and an image processor configured to generate a captured image including single medium image or plural media image, and clip a plurality of medium images that correspond respectively to media images in the plural media image off the captured image when the generated captured image includes the plural media image in a direction along a width direction of the insertion slot. The image processor outputs the plurality of medium images clipped in an order of insertion of the plural media. |
| US09350886B2 |
Control apparatus, control method, and storage medium
A control apparatus includes a receiving unit, a display unit, a storing unit, and a notification unit. The receiving unit receives a job. The display unit displays the job received by the receiving unit. The storing unit stores attribute information of a sheet held in a sheet holding unit. The notification unit performs, after the receiving unit has received a job and in response to change in attribute information, stored in the storing unit, of the sheet held in the sheet holding unit specified by the job, notification of the change in the attribute information of the sheet held in the sheet holding unit in an identifiable manner, in association with the job displayed on the display unit. |
| US09350883B2 |
Color/monochromatic determination
An apparatus includes a compression unit configured to compress an image, and a determination unit configured to determine whether the image before the compression is color or monochromatic based on a data size of the image after the compression. |
| US09350882B2 |
Image processing system, image processing apparatus, information processing method, and storage medium to prevent accidental removal of print products
The present invention is directed to a technique for preventing accidental removal of a print product, including the case of one portion of the print product being pulled out, without keeping a user waiting for print output. An image processing system includes an output unit configured to output, to a monitoring tray, an output result of a print job to which a monitoring attribute is allocated, an imaging unit configured to capture a video of the monitoring tray, a detection unit configured to detect motion in an output product region of the monitoring tray, based on the video captured by the imaging unit, and a warning information output unit configured to output warning information in a case where the detection unit detects motion in the output product region. |
| US09350881B2 |
Delivery expert system, method and computer program product
An automated rule-based system for facilitating delivery of a fax document from a source to a destination over a network where an initial delivery attempt has been unsuccessful. Rules may be stored in a database. The database may include rules based on past delivery information or new delivery instructions. When an input condition is determined, the database may be traversed to determine an action based on the set of rules. The actions may include one or more of resubmitting the fax document to the network for a next delivery attempt, cancelling the document, and identifying the destination as a technical problem. The input conditions may include an identification of non-business days and non-business hours. |
| US09350872B2 |
Recovery of established emergency calls
A system, method and apparatus for re-establishing a messaging session received at a public safety answering point are described. A Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) messaging session establishment request is received at an emergency call answer node. The messaging session establishment request has an indication of a previously established emergency messaging session between an operator workstation and a sending device to re-establish. The emergency call answer node checks a recovery queue for a previously received call establishment request having a matching indication for the previously established messaging session to re-establish. The emergency call answer node bridges a session leg for the received call establishment request and, a session leg for the previously received call establishment request having the matching indication for the previously established messaging session to re-establish the messaging session when a match is found. |
| US09350871B2 |
Delivery of alarm system event data and audio over hybrid networks
Delivery of alarm system event data and audio over hybrid networks is described. In one embodiment, delivering alarm system event data includes detecting an alarm event and communicating alarm event data to a message processing gateway, evaluating service parameters of the alarm system and conditions of the alarm event data, forwarding the alarm event data and a voice channel code to a telecommunications switch, and opening a voice channel between the telecommunications switch and a central alarm monitoring station. In other aspects, delivering alarm system event data and connecting a voice channel further includes determining whether the voice channel remains open, forwarding a routing code to the alarm system, opening a voice channel between the alarm system and the telecommunications switch, and bridging the voice channel between the telecommunications switch and the central alarm monitoring station and the voice channel between the alarm system and the telecommunications switch. |
| US09350870B2 |
Method for setting up a communication link
In a method for setting up a communication link between a first telephony terminal (PA) and a second telephony terminal (PB) in a communication network which transports data packets, in particular on the Internet, with the aid of at least one signalling Server (SA, SB), in particular with the aid of an SIP Server, the first telephony terminal informs a first signalling Server that a call is intended to be made to the second telephony terminal. The first signalling Server which has been informed or a second signalling Server which has been informed by this first signalling Server recognizes that the call is intended to be made with a particular quality of Service and sets up a communication link between the first telephony terminal and the second telephony terminal, which link corresponds to this quality of Service. |
| US09350868B1 |
Managing voicemail systems
Methods, systems, and computer-readable and executable instructions for managing a voicemail system are described herein. One method for managing a voicemail system includes receiving a call log from a voicemail box subscribed to a voicemail management system, identifying metadata associated with the call log from the voicemail box, identifying one or more criteria within the metadata based on a request for a report, and generating a report using the one or more criteria within the metadata associated with the call log from the voicemail box to manage the voicemail system. |
| US09350867B2 |
System and method for anticipatory dynamic customer segmentation for a contact center
System and method for enhanced interaction processing in a contact center that includes dynamically determining customer segmentation. A processor detects a pending interaction with a customer. The processor retrieves, in response to detecting the pending interaction, identification of a first customer segment to which the customer belongs. The first customer segment is associated with a first objective of the contact center. The processor predicts an outcome of the pending interaction, and identifies a second customer segment based on the predicted outcome. The processor re-associates the customer to a second customer segment, where the second customer segment is associated with a second objective of the contact center different from the first business objective. The processor handles the pending interaction according to the second objective instead of the first objective. |
| US09350865B2 |
Method for connecting a user with an agent based on user interaction of a link of a prior message exchanged between the user and the agent
A request is received from a user device to connect with an agent, the request including information describing an interactive event representing a user interaction with a link embedded within a first message presented at the user device. A user device ID identifying the user device is determined based on the request. The interactive event is examined to determine whether the interactive event satisfies a predetermined condition based on a set of one or more rules. In response to determining that the interactive event satisfies the predetermined condition, a first agent device ID is determined that identifies a first agent device of a first agent who initiated and sent the first message to the user device. A communication session is established between the user device and the first agent device based on the user device ID and the first agent device ID. |
| US09350861B1 |
Using location based services for determining a calling window
Telemarketing calls may originate from a call center based on processing a telephone number record which includes a telephone number. The telephone number record may also include other information pertaining to the telephone number, including whether it is a wireline or wireless number. Further information may indicate whether the solicitation call is being originated on behalf of a wireless carrier serving the wireless subscriber associated with the telephone number. The call center may use location information associated with the wireless number to ascertain a location of the wireless subscriber and to then ascertain a time zone of the wireless subscriber, so as to originate the telemarketing call within the appropriate regulatory calling time window. A dialer may originate calls for an agent using a list of wireline numbers and then using a list of wireless numbers. |
| US09350860B2 |
Voice interactive service system and method for providing different speech-based services
Systems and method are provided for rendering different speech-based services to a plurality of users. A service-providing system may be accessed via a plurality of connectivity ports. Each of the connectivity ports may be associated with at least one of a plurality of different speech-related services. The connectivity ports may be associated with the different speech-related services may be performed before receiving user service requests. The service-providing system may comprise a plurality of processing components, each of which may be configurable to provide one or more of a plurality of different speech-related services. The service-providing system may further comprise a connection component, which may be operable to establish a connection between the respective connectivity port and a processing component having a configuration of suitable for performing a service requested through the respective connectivity port. |
| US09350859B1 |
Story delivery system and method for mobile entertainment
A method of delivering a story for engaging a user in an interactive, scripted, virtual reality story by generating calls from a group of actors or personalities called a clique, includes the steps of recording onto a memory device a series of calls by multiple persons who pretend to be friends of a user recipient; making calls using the recorded calls in a predetermined sequence to a user recipient and preferably displaying; telling a story in the first person perspective from multiple points of view by means of the calls; and doing everything real friends do when they communicate with each other, except these friends are fictional, rather than real. A system for engaging a user in an interactive, scripted, virtual reality story by generating calls from a group of actors or personalities called a clique, where the calls simulate everything real friends do when they communicate with each other, except these friends are fictional, rather than real. In the method and system, the calls may be made to a smart phone. In addition, the smart phone may download an application and may download a call via phone lines and/or other wireless signal, and simulate the call or be an actual phone call. |
| US09350856B2 |
Personal allowed number system
A system and method for preventing or facilitating communications between individuals who reside in detention environments (such as e.g., prisons or correctional facilities) and individuals who are not in such detention environments using an automated authentication or verification. |
| US09350855B2 |
Providing additional information to called parties
A system, method, and computer readable medium for providing additional information to called parties comprises receiving a call from a calling party, performing a lookup of information associated with the calling party in a database, receiving the information from the database, and forwarding the information to a called party. The system comprises at least one device for receiving a call from a calling party, and at least one database for storing information associated with the calling party, wherein the at least one device is operable to perform a lookup of information associated with the calling party in a database, receive the information from the database, and forward the information to a called party. |
| US09350854B2 |
Call barring
A application relates to call barring. Typically, PBX systems have the ability to bar calls originating from both an individual phone and group of phones. However, with nomadism/hot-desking in large organisations comprising typically many PBXs, often from different manufactures, a PBX base call barring solution is unworkable. Consequently, a computer telephony based solution has been chosen. The call barring is performed on the CTI server (1) which receives from the user via a computer terminal (10) a request to set up a call from a source telephone terminal (12) to a destination telephone terminal (8). The CTI server allows or blocks the call set-up request according to the call barring settings and forwards allowed call set-up requests to the PBX (4), whereby the CTI server overrides the PBX call barring settings. |
| US09350851B1 |
Overriding volume settings on a mobile device
The volume settings of a mobile device can be overridden when a notification is received to allow a user to be immediately notified of an emergency or urgent matter. Each mobile device can be assigned a unique number which is used by other computing devices to send alerts to the mobile device. Each mobile device can also be assigned an emergency code that other computing devices use to override the mobile device's volume settings. When a mobile device receives a notification that includes its assigned emergency code, the mobile device can override the current volume settings so that the sound associated with the receipt of the notification will be audibly output. A remote map code may also be used to retrieve the location of a mobile device. A group emergency code or remote map code may be employed to notify or locate a group of mobile devices. |
| US09350845B2 |
Universal call management platform
Systems, methods and computer program products for enabling integration between various internet- or non-internet based communication services (e.g., as provided by different communications platforms and service providers) using a universal platform are described. In some implementations, a service manager is provided that can integrate call management capabilities with multiple communications platforms using the universal platform to enable seamless communication between the various platforms. For example, interactions between individual users on one or more platforms can be tracked in a single conversation history as a threaded interface. The universal platform can integrate with various platforms and third party protocols and services to provide call features that include, for example, call forwarding, call handling, multiple greeting prompts, call screening rules, ring-out rules, international calling, caller ID rules, after hours, and announcement prompts. |
| US09350839B2 |
Mobile telephone integration system
A mobile telephone integration system including an adapter having a main body and a clip which, from an edge of the main body, projects, in a clamping position under prestress in the direction of the bearing surface, over the bearing surface such that a mobile telephone can be pushed into a holding position between a free end of the clip and the bearing surface. A noise-generating means generates a warning noise when the clip is deflected in the opening direction into an overload position by virtue of a rotation process in which the clip is moved out of its release position owing to an increased action of force in the opening direction. The clip pivots back into the release position again by virtue of a return rotation process in which the clip is moved from its overload position owing to an action of force in the closing direction. |
| US09350838B2 |
Multipurpose casing for a computer based device
The present invention relates to a casing for accommodating a computer based device or an activity board having an input/output port interface and/or an interface in form of a touch sensitive screen, comprising one or more operating means (e.g., levers, handles, buttons, knobs) and/or one or more apertures for interacting with said device, wherein said casing, at least partially, can cover the interface of said device. |
| US09350836B2 |
Apparatus having a flexible display and method of controlling the same
A mobile terminal including a wireless communication unit configured to wirelessly communicate with at least one other terminal; a flexible display; at least one sensor arranged in a prescribed form on the flexible display and configured to convert a flex state of the flexible display into an electric signal; and a controller configured to determine the flex state of the flexible display using the electric signal input from the at least one sensor, and control a visual effect corresponding to the determined flex state and output the visual effect on the flexible display. |
| US09350829B2 |
Transparent bridging of transmission control protocol (TCP) connections
A transparent TCP proxy device intercepts TCP connection requests received from a TCP client and destined for a TCP server as if acting as the TCP server in a handshake with the TCP client. Only after completing the handshake with the TCP client, the transparent TCP proxy participates in a handshake with the TCP server as if acting as the TCP client. After the handshake with the TCP server is complete, the transparent TCP proxy intercepts and translates subsequent TCP packets received from the TCP client and destined for the TCP server into a form expected by the TCP server including updating an acknowledgement number and TCP checksum; and intercepts and translates subsequent TCP packets received from the TCP server and destined for the TCP client into a form expected by the TCP client including updating an acknowledgement number and TCP checksum. |
| US09350828B2 |
Network interface device having general-purpose computing capability
Techniques for a network interface controller (NIC) capable of performing general-purpose computing tasks without intervention from a central processing unit (CPU) are disclosed herein. The network interface controller includes a circuit board, a network interface, a computer bus interface and a processor. The network interface is operatively coupled to the circuit board for receiving network packets. The computer bus interface is operatively coupled to the circuit board for receiving a general-purpose program. The processor is operatively coupled to the circuit board and capable of executing the general-purpose program to process the network packets. |
| US09350826B2 |
Pre-fetching data
A pre-fetching request is received by a server from a client. The pre-fetching request is performed to pre-fetch data from a data source connected to the server according to an indication of the pre-fetching request. The pre-fetched data is sent from the server to the client upon receiving an actual request for the pre-fetched data. As such, an integrated capability of a server and a client can be employed to perform data pre-fetch, to improve overall performance of the server and the client. |
| US09350824B2 |
Social device service and support via automatic group association
A social networking system offers a variety of device service and support functions via automated social network (SNET) group associations. Such functions can include, for example, device registration and warranty services, update and upgrade services, maintenance and testing services, resource utilization reporting services, cloning services, usage tutorials and user group interactions, targeted advertising, etc. In various embodiments, support services may be offered upon automated docking of a social device with a SNET group, such as a manufacturer's SNET group. Selection of available services may be automated based on device profile data. Alternatively, services may be manually selected through a user interface provided by a member device or support service. In other embodiments, all or portions of a first device may be cloned on a second device, either on a persistent or temporary basis. |
| US09350823B2 |
Identifying properties of a communication device
A method (300) of generating information for use in identifying a property of a communication device (10) includes identifying (304) one or more substrings within a character string that identifies the communication device. For each substring, an entry is added (306) to a respective one of a plurality of data structures (800), each data structure being designated for storing substrings that occur at a particular character position within the character string. Each entry is associated (310) with a profile that includes a value of at least one property of the communication device. Also disclosed is a method (1000) of identifying the properties of a communication device based on such previously-generated information. |
| US09350822B2 |
Distributed web object identification for web caching
In some embodiments, a request for a content object may be received as a data packet. Upon determining that the content object is not cached, an element of the data packet may be modified and the modified data packet may be forwarded toward a content provider of the content object. |
| US09350818B2 |
Method and system for enabling data usage accounting for unreliable transport communication
A method and system for data usage accounting are described herein. On a computing device that includes enterprise applications and personal applications, a datagram send request for an enterprise application can be received. The datagram send request may involve unreliable transport communication with a final destination and may be conducted in a native fashion with respect to the enterprise application. Based on the datagram send request, addressing information of a relay destination that is different from the final destination can be received. In addition, outbound datagrams of the unreliable transport communication can be corresponded with the received addressing information of the relay destination. The outbound datagrams of the unreliable transport communication may also be supplemented with the addressing information of the final destination. The outbound datagrams of the unreliable transport communication may also be transmitted to the relay destination to enable a data usage accounting of the datagram send request. |
| US09350817B2 |
Recording a hyper text transfer protocol (HTTP) session for playback
In one embodiment, a method includes recording a sequence of online activities of a first user. The online activities include online consumption of online content by the first user. The method includes constructing a path based on the sequence of online activities of the first user. The path includes a sequence of online activity points that each correspond to one of the online activities in the sequence of online activities of the first user, and the path enables a second user to experience personally for themselves at least an approximation of the sequence of online activities of the first user. The method includes communicating the path for traversal of a portion of the path by the second user. |
| US09350814B2 |
Internet protocol connectivity over a service-oriented architecture bus
Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for implementing Internet Protocol (IP) connectivity over a service-oriented architecture (SOA) bus implemented by a peer-to-peer network. At a first device, a first IP service is advertised over the SOA bus, and a second IP service advertised by a second device over the SOA bus is discovered. The first device may transmit at least a first IP packet to the second device by remotely invoking the second IP service of the second device over the SOA bus. The first device may receive at least a second IP packet from the second device over the SOA bus through an invocation of the first IP service by the second device. |
| US09350811B1 |
Load balancing networks and load balancing methods
A network may comprise a plurality of nodes wherein each of the plurality of nodes is associated with one of a plurality of hives. A computer may connect to the network by establishing node data for each of the plurality of nodes, the node data indicating a hive with which the node is associated and including a flag indicating whether a connection attempt associated with the node is or has been unsuccessful. When a connection attempt is successful, the computer may determine whether the node to which the computer is connected is a preferred node associated with the preferred hive based on the node data. The computer may connect to the preferred node associated with the preferred hive when the node to which the computer is connected is not the preferred node associated with the preferred hive and the preferred node associated with the preferred hive is not marked unsuccessful. |
| US09350807B2 |
Intelligent adapter for providing storage area network access and access to a local storage device
A network device that includes a storage protocol controller having a port for interfacing with a storage area network (SAN) based storage device and another network device operating within a cluster is provided. The network device also includes a processor executing instructions for managing a local storage device that is configured to operate as a caching device for a computing device. The network device is configured to operate as a host bus adapter and a storage controller for managing storage space at the local storage device and the SAN-based storage device. |
| US09350806B2 |
Zero copy data transfers without modifying host side protocol stack parameters
Mechanisms are provided for instigating the sending of an acknowledgement response from a host system. A buffer of a data processing system is monitored to determine if there is a data transfer pending in the buffer. In response to a determination that there are no data transfers pending in the buffer, a determination is made as to whether there is an outstanding data transfer, on a corresponding network connection with the host system, for which an acknowledgement response has not been received from the host system. In response to a determination that there is an outstanding data transfer for which an acknowledgement response has not been received, an acknowledgement instigation message is sent to the host system to instigate the host system sending an acknowledgement response for the outstanding data transfer. |
| US09350802B2 |
System and method for secure, high-speed transfer of very large files
A method for parallelized transfer of an electronic file over a network. The method includes sending a first portion of the electronic file from a first sending node and receiving, at the first sending node, information relating to a second portion of the electronic file sent by a second sending node. The method further includes sending a third portion of the electronic file from the first sending node, wherein the third portion is different from the second portion. |
| US09350798B2 |
Methods and systems for transitioning between arbitrary shapes
Various arrangements for transitioning between data visualizations are presented. A first and second general path may be determined that define a first and second shape, respectively. A plurality of pairs of drawing commands may be created such that each pair of the plurality of pairs of drawing commands includes a first drawing command from the first general path and a second drawing command from the second general path. The plurality of pairs of drawing commands may be modified such that each pair of the plurality of pairs of drawing commands includes a single type of drawing command. A visual transition may be output for presentation between the first shape and the second shape using the modified plurality of pairs of drawing commands. |
| US09350796B2 |
Method and device for receiving multimedia data
Receiving on a communication device a multimedia data stream composed of a sequence of multimedia data segments from a plurality of data sources, each multimedia data segment having an execution time slot relative to an execution time slot of an initial multimedia data segment of the sequence. Receiving and executing a first multimedia segment, requesting the data source of a subsequent multimedia data segment to transmit a portion of the subsequent multimedia data segment, determining therefrom the transmission capability between the communication device and the data source determining a time to start downloading the subsequent multimedia data segment based on its execution time slot relative to the current time slot and the transmission capability, and downloading, at the determined time, the subsequent multimedia data segment for execution during the execution time slot. |
| US09350792B2 |
Method for location-based website hosting optimization
A hosting provider may host a website at a first hosting location based on initial business information received from a hosting customer, perhaps while the hosting customer created an account. The initial business information may include, as non-limiting examples, whether the business is a local or non-localized business, business addresses and/or registered domain names. A domain name, particularly if it resolves to the website, may be analyzed for incorporated words, spelling, characters and/or top-level domain that may point to, or be more commonly used in, one or more geographical regions. The website may be moved to a second location based on the initial business information combined with subsequently collected business information, such as, as non-limiting examples, updated address information, marketing campaigns aimed at particular locations and/or based on the originating location of traffic to the website. |
| US09350787B2 |
Methods and systems for generation and execution of miniapp of computer application served by cloud computing system
A first application is executed on a cloud computing system for a first period of time. User input signals associated with execution of the first application during the first period of time are recorded. A second application is generated to correspond to a portion of the first application as executed during a second period of time within the first period of time. The second application is defined by program instructions of the first application executed during the second period of time. A miniapp is generated to include the second application and the user input signals recorded during execution of the first application during the second period of time. |
| US09350783B2 |
Fluctuation absorbing device, communication device, and control program
A fluctuation absorbing device includes a buffer 22 for temporarily storing packets, a pulse generating section 24 for generating a pulse at a same interval as a transmitting interval of the packets, a fluctuation time derivation section (25) for deriving a fluctuation time of delay of the packets based on the pulse, a maximum fluctuation time estimate section (25) for estimating a maximum fluctuation time based on a plurality of fluctuation time derived in the fluctuation time derivation section (25), and a setting section (25) for setting data storage capacity of the buffer 22 based on the maximum fluctuation time. |
| US09350778B2 |
Management and prioritization of media item downloading
The disclosed embodiments relate generally to the downloading of media items. The media items may include, for example, audio, video, image, or podcast data. In accordance with one embodiment, two or more media items may be concurrently downloaded. In accordance with another embodiment, a user may control the downloading of each of the media items, as desired. More particularly, the user may choose to download, pause, or resume downloading one or more media items identified in the list of media items. In other words, the user may alter the download status of any of the items in the list of media items. In addition, the user may re-prioritize the order in which the media items in the list or a subset thereof are to be downloaded. |
| US09350775B2 |
Method to initiate server based collaboration on E-mail attachments
Server-based collaboration is initiated by an email. When the user creates the email message with attachments, a collaboration website is provisioned. The collaboration website allows collaborations on the attached documents by the recipients of the message. The ease of collaboration with email and the advantages of the collaboration server are thus both available to the user. |
| US09350773B2 |
Customizable action cards for networking systems
Networking systems and methods for efficiently facilitating interactions between subscribers using customized action cards are disclosed. A networking system can comprise a communication unit, a customization unit, and an action unit. The communication unit can transmit data embodying communications between a server and a plurality of client computers operated by subscribers of the networking system. The customization unit can enable a current user to categorize other subscribers and to select action indicators associated with an action card template for each subscriber category. The selected action indicators can vary across subscriber categories, resulting in a different action card template for each category. Action cards of other subscribers are displayed to the current user based on their applicable action card templates. When the current user requests performance of an interaction by selecting a first action indicator from a displayed first action card, the action unit can facilitate the requested interaction. |
| US09350770B2 |
Redundant transmission channels for real-time applications on mobile devices
Performing a real-time application on a mobile device, involving communication of audio/video packets with a remote device. The mobile device may initially communicate the audio/video packets on a first communication channel with the remote device. During the real-time communication, the mobile device may determine if no packets have been received by the mobile device from the remote device for a first threshold period of time. If no packets have been received by the mobile device from the remote device for the first threshold period of time, the mobile device may establish a second communication channel for transmission of the audio/video packets with the remote device. In response to using the second communication channel, the mobile device may modify a resolution or bit rate of the audio/video packets transmitted to the remote device. |
| US09350769B2 |
SIP device-level call/session/service management
Systems, methods, and computer readable media for session initiation protocol (SIP) device-level call/session/service management are disclosed. According to one aspect, a system for SIP device-level management includes a SIP service node that makes available to a user the unique device identifier of a SIP device, where the SIP device is one of multiple devices that register using the same SIP identity, and that allows the user to use the unique device identifier to manage calls, sessions, or services on a SIP device-level basis, which may include performing screening, routing, or logging operations. In one embodiment, the SIP service node is configured to receive SIP device-level management rules for managing SIP calls, sessions, or services on a SIP device-level basis and to use the rules to manage calls, sessions, or services on a SIP device-level basis. |
| US09350763B1 |
HTTP tunnelling over websockets
Conventional messages sent by sources such as applications executing on a computing device can be intercepted by a message converter module, or other such component, and converted to raw data, binary data, or another appropriate format that is able to be sent using a websocket connection. A websocket connection can provide greater efficiencies in at least some situations, and the intercepting of a message independent of, and transparent to, an application or other such component or module enables the websocket connections to be implemented without knowledge of the connections or conversion by applications at either endpoint. |
| US09350759B1 |
Network security appliance to imitate a wireless access point of a local area network through coordination of multiple radios
Disclosed are methods and systems of a network security appliance to imitate a wireless access point of a local area network through coordination of multiple radios. In one aspect, a network security appliance includes (1) at least one supporting radio and (2) a communication radio. The at least one supporting radio determines if an access point is available in a local area network through a sniffing algorithm, determines if a client device is visible in the local area network, and injects at least one data packet into the client device based on either a command from an operator of the network security appliance and/or an automatic algorithm determined based on a set of preferences. The communication radio wirelessly imitates the access point of the local area network such that the client device is connected to a wide area network through the communication radio that is wirelessly imitating the access point. |
| US09350758B1 |
Distributed denial of service (DDoS) honeypots
An improved system and method of measuring and evaluating a distributed denial of services (DDOS) attack includes arranging for a DDoS attack by engaging a network provider offering malicious services to attack a honeypot computerized device. The honeypot includes a packet sniffer used to measure the values of parameters of the DDoS attack useful in determining the method of attack, the origin and extent of the attack, in calculating methods for early determination that a DDoS attack is occurring, and methods of countering this type of DDoS attack before it occurs. |
| US09350754B2 |
Mitigating a cyber-security attack by changing a network address of a system under attack
In response to determining that a computer is undergoing a cyber attack, a newly assigned IP address is received for the computer. A currently assigned IP address of the computer is changed to the newly assigned IP address. |
| US09350751B2 |
Network infrastructure obfuscation
A shadow network, which can be a virtual reproduction of a real, physical, base computer network, is described. Shadow networks duplicate the topology, services, host, and network traffic of the base network using shadow hosts, which are low interaction, minimal-resource-using host emulators. The shadow networks are connected to the base network through virtual switches, etc. in order to form a large obfuscated network. When a hacker probes into a host emulator, a more resource-intensive virtual machine can be swapped in to take its place. When a connection is attempted from a host emulator to a physical computer, the a host emulator can step in to take the place of the physical computer, and software defined networking (SDN) can prevent collisions between the duplicated IP addresses. Replicating the shadow networks within the network introduces problems for hackers and allows a system administrator easier ways to identify intrusions. |
| US09350749B2 |
Application attack monitoring
Implementations of the present disclosure include methods, systems, and computer-readable storage mediums for providing application attack monitoring. Actions can include: obtaining a security graph model associated with an attack vulnerability of a distributed application, the security graph model comprising a plurality of rule parts; screening log data obtained by a plurality of connectors to selectively obtain relevant log data corresponding to one or more of the rule parts, each connector being in communication with a respective components of the distributed application; evaluating the relevant log data based on the security graph model to provide an evaluation score; and in response to determining that the evaluation score is greater than a predetermined threshold, providing output indicating an attack on the distributed application. |
| US09350747B2 |
Methods and systems for malware analysis
Methods, system, and media for analyzing a potential malware sample are disclosed. A sample for malware analysis may be received. The sample may be received through a web interface. The sample may be analyzed using a plurality of analyzers implemented on one or more computing devices. The analyzers may perform a sequence of configurable analytic steps to extract information about the sample. The extracted information may be displayed to a user through the web interface. |
| US09350743B2 |
Controlling operation of a machine and describing actions performed by the machine through a social networking system
A social networking system includes information identifying a machine (e.g., a robot, a drone, a computer, a thermostat, etc.) and a connection between the machine and an owner of the machine, which is a user of the social networking system capable of authorizing an action by the machine. The owner of the machine associates permissions associated with various actions by the machine, where a permission associated with an action identifies one or more criteria for performing the action. Permissions may specify types of connections between social networking system users and the owner of the machine via the social networking system to allow social networking system users with specific types of connections to the owner of the machine to perform certain actions using the machine. Information describing an action performed by the machine may be communicated to other users of the social networking system via any suitable communication channel. |
| US09350740B1 |
Method, system and apparatus for network management based on business relationship information
A method for providing a dynamic business network and data management service system includes defining an account for a co-operation organization for accessing the dynamic business network and data network management service system. At least one co-operation organization is defined having at least one co-operation relation, wherein the co-operation relation is associated with at least two accounts. Business relationship information is defined based on the co-operation relation. The business relationship information is maintained in a system server, wherein the business relationship information has inbound information and outbound information associated to the at least two accounts. A set of context centric applications is provided accessible for the at least two accounts over a network and configured to operate on the business relationship information associated to the at least two accounts. Each context centric application is configured to generate at least one data entity and dynamically share the at least one data entity using at least one context centric application for the at least two accounts. |
| US09350737B2 |
Handling of authorization requests for a packet-based service in a mobile network
A policy controller (30) of a mobile network receives an authorization request (302) for a packet-based service from a node (80). In response to receiving the authorization request (302), the policy controller performs an authorization check (305) to determine an authorization status of the service and sends an authorization response (306) to the node (80). The authorization response (306) indicates the authorization status of the service. In response to the same authorization request (302), the policy controller (30) performs at least one further authorization check to redetermine the authorization status of the service. If the further authorization check indicates that the authorization status of the service has changed, the policy controller (30) sends a status change message (311) to the node. The status change message (311) indicates to the node (80) that the authorization status of the service has changed. |
| US09350736B2 |
System and method for isolating mobile data
Disclosed is a system for mobile data isolation, comprising of a tag control management module and a mobile data management module. The tag control management module comprises a tag generator, a tag storage management module and a tag transmission control module. The mobile data management module primarily identifies user authority and data confidentiality level according to tags, operates and controls the mobile application of mobile data, to realize fine-grained confidentiality security protections of the mobile data. The mobile data management module is divided into security isolation control of a data processing process, security control of a data transmission process and security isolation control in data storage. Meanwhile, a method for mobile data isolation is also disclosed. Isolation and fine-grained operation and control of data on a mobile intelligent terminal can be performed effectively, realizing different confidentiality policies and ensuring the confidentiality security of mobile data. |
| US09350735B1 |
Context-based dynamic information rights management
Disclosed are systems and methods for context-based dynamic information rights management (IRM) in a cloud-based document management environment. A system may include a document server configured to store a plurality of documents. The document server is coupled to an information rights server and a plurality of client computer systems via a network. One or more of the document server and the information rights server may be cloud-based. The information rights for a document stored in the document server may be determined by the information rights server based on context parameters associated with a request to download the document from the document server. |
| US09350732B1 |
Integrity protection for data storage
A system for protecting the integrity of a memory system maintains an age counter and an opportunity counter for each of multiple memory blocks; maintains an epoch counter for the memory system; writes data in a selected memory block; increases the local sequence number of the selected memory block; updates the opportunity counter for the selected memory block if the local sequence number of the selected memory block rolls over; computes a message authentication code (MAC) in the selected memory block based on a global sequence number and the local sequence number; updates the age counter and the opportunity counter for any non-selected memory blocks if the opportunity counter for the non-selected memory blocks does not match the LSB of the epoch counter for the non-selected memory blocks; and computes a new MAC for any memory block for which the updating is performed. |
| US09350730B2 |
Biometric-based wireless device association
According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method and technique for automatically associating a wireless device to a data processing system using biometric data is disclosed. The method includes: receiving biometric data corresponding to a user of a data processing system; creating a certificate by the data processing system based on the biometric data; discovering a wireless device able to communicate with the data processing system; responsive to discovering the wireless device, automatically requesting a certificate from the wireless device; and, responsive to the certificate from the wireless device matching the certificate created by the data processing system, automatically associating the wireless device with the data processing system. |
| US09350724B2 |
Authentication server system for performing control of notifications during service use, control method, and storage medium
When authentication processing is performed without requesting a user to input authentication information and receiving the authentication information in response to authentication processing performed in another authentication server system having successfully been performed, a notification is not issued to a terminal to be operated by the user. |
| US09350721B2 |
Air interface security method and device
Provided is an air interface security method. In the process of protocol transmission, the method executes: 1) a short-range coupling device sending a security parameter request message to a short-range card; 2) after receiving the security parameter request message, the short-range card conduct security parameter feedback on the short-range coupling device; and 3) the short-range coupling device and the short-range card establish a security link according to a security parameter. Provided are a short-range coupling device, a short-range card, etc. for achieving the method. By introducing a security mechanism, the present invention provides a security protection capability for an air interface, can provide identity authentication for a short-range coupling device and a short-range card to ensure the validity and authenticity of the identities of both sides in the communications, and at the same time, will not bring additional hardware overhead to the short-range coupling device and the short-range card. |
| US09350718B2 |
Using representational state transfer (REST) for consent management
A framework, which conforms to the OAuth standard, involves a generic OAuth authorization server that can be used by multiple resource servers in order to ensure that access to resources stored on those resource servers is limited to access to which the resource owner consents. Each resource server registers, with the OAuth authorization server, metadata for that resource server, indicating scopes that are recognized by the resource server. The OAuth authorization server refers to this metadata when requesting consent from a resource owner on behalf of a client application, so that the consent will be of an appropriate scope. The OAuth authorization server refers to this metadata when constructing an access token to provide to the client application for use in accessing the resources on the resource server. The OAuth authorization server uses this metadata to map issued access tokens to the scopes to which those access tokens grant access. |
| US09350710B2 |
Intelligent, cloud-based global virtual private network systems and methods
A method includes connecting to a client at a Virtual Private Network (VPN) device in a cloud system; forwarding requests from the client for the Internet or public clouds accordingly; and, for requests for an enterprise associated with the client, contacting a topology controller to fetch a topology of the enterprise, causing a tunnel to be established from the enterprise to the VPN device, and forwarding the requests for the enterprise through the tunnel. A cloud system and VPN system are also described. Advantageously, connections between the cloud and on-premises proxy are dynamic, on-demand and orchestrated by the cloud. Security is provided at the edge—there is no need to punch any holes in the existing on-premises firewalls. |
| US09350703B2 |
Enforcement of network-wide context aware policies
A method implemented in an edge router, the method comprising receiving an authentication request from a device, forwarding the authentication request to an authentication and policy server, receiving an authentication response and an indication of a device tag from the authentication and policy server, wherein the device tag is based on a characteristic of the device, a location, a destination, or a user of the device, forwarding the authentication response to the device, receiving a policy associated with the device tag from the authentication and policy server, receiving a packet from the device, embedding the device tag in the packet to form a tagged packet, and executing the policy. |
| US09350702B2 |
Virtual insertion into a network
A network appliance is virtually inserted in a data path within a network. Packet data that matches a criteria is intercepted at a logical point within the data path. The intercepted packet data is forwarded to an application running on the virtually inserted network appliance. |
| US09350699B2 |
Scalable NAT traversal
A system and method for traversing a firewall for a voice-over-IP session or other communication session uses four main components: a relay agent, and NAT 30Agent, a SIP proxy and a application server. The SIP proxy is located in the public network and SIP signaling messages are routed through the SIP proxy. The sever opens ports in the firewall for signaling between the SIP proxy and the relay agent behind the firewall. The application server also opens ports in the firewall for media traffic. The NAT 30Agent disposed in the path from the firewall to the Internet filters media packets and changes the public source address of the media packets to a predetermined address associated with the open media port. |
| US09350698B2 |
Computer program product and system for double IP address recovery
A computer program product and computer system for double IP address recovery. Double IP address is a situation of a same IP address for different hosts in a network, and the double IP address recovery resolves the double IP address. In the invention, the hosts exchanges rules and system state information. Each of the hosts determines its own action of the double IP address recovery based on the same rules and the system state information of the different hosts. Each of the hosts executes its own action, either to continue or to alter an IP address. |
| US09350695B2 |
Method for transferring and storing CPM service message and service thereof
A method is described for transferring a converged IP messaging (CPM) service based message using a server. The server transmits one or more messages via a one-to-one session established between a first terminal of a first user and a second terminal of a second user. The server receives a first session initiation protocol (SIP) invite message for extending the one-to-one session to a group session from the first terminal of the first user. The server extracts and locally stores various headers and IDs from the received first SIP invite message, and at least part of session description protocol (SDP) attributes with media streams from the received first SIP invite message if the first SIP invite message includes SDP content describing the media streams. The server transmits a second SIP invite message to the second terminal of the second user, and receives a termination message for terminating the one-to-one session. |
| US09350693B2 |
Method and apparatus for cross device notifications
A method and apparatus for providing cross device notifications. A cross notification component is provided in multiple devices. In some devices, the cross notification component is at least configured to transmit notices to other devices, and to receive responses to its notice transmissions. In some devices, the cross notification component is at least configured to receive the notices transmitted by other devices, and to generate and transmit responses to received notices. |
| US09350692B1 |
Integration of email and persistent conversations
Systems, methods and computer readable media for persistent conversation and email integration are described. Some implementations can include a method comprising receiving a persistent conversation communication message sent from a first user to at least one other user, and adding the message to an email thread associated with the persistent conversation. The method can also include storing the persistent conversation message as part of the email thread, and creating a new email thread associated with the persistent conversation when a predetermined condition is met, wherein the condition is one of an elapsed time or reaching a predetermined number of messages in the email thread. The method can further include rendering a displayable version of the persistent conversation within an email client, the displayable version including a continuous display of email threads associated with the persistent conversation. |
| US09350689B2 |
Systems and methods for protecting header fields in a message
Embodiments of the systems and methods described herein facilitate the transmitting, receiving, and processing of encoded messages wherein the header fields in the message header are protected. In one embodiment, the contents of the header fields to be protected are inserted into the message body as one or more additional lines of text, for example, prior to encoding and transmitting the message to a message recipient. Upon receipt of the message, the message recipient processes the encoded message such that the contents of the protected header fields can be extracted from the message body. Accordingly, by inserting the contents of the header fields to be protected into the message body, the header fields may be protected using existing standards and protocols for facilitating secure message communication. |
| US09350683B2 |
Reliable bulk data dissemination using rateless codes
In one embodiment, an aggregating node receives feedback messages from one or more destination nodes in the network. The destination nodes are designated to receive data as packets from a source node using rateless coding. Further, the feedback messages indicate whether packets are needed at a corresponding destination node to complete the data. Then, the feedback messages are aggregated into a single aggregated message, and the aggregated message is transmitted toward the source node. |
| US09350682B1 |
Compute instance migrations across availability zones of a provider network
A provider network may implement compute instance migrations across availability zones. Compute instances may be located in a particular availability zone of provider network that is implemented across multiple availability zones. A request may be received, from a client of the provider network or other component of the provider network, to migrate a compute instance that is currently operating for a client and located in one availability zone to another availability zone. A destination compute instance may be provisioned in the other availability zone based on a configuration of the currently operating compute instance. In some embodiments, other computing resources utilized by the currently operating compute instance, such as data storage resources, may be moved to the other availability zone. Migration may be completed such that the destination compute instance is currently operating for the client and the compute instance is not. |
| US09350680B2 |
Protection switching over a virtual link aggregation
One embodiment of the present invention provides a switch. The switch comprises one or more ports and a link management module. The link management module operates a first aggregate link group as an active aggregate link group of a protected virtual link aggregation. This protected virtual link aggregation operates as a single logical channel. An aggregate link group comprises a plurality of logically aggregated links. The first aggregate link group, which represents the logical channel, comprises at least a first port of the one or more ports of the switch. The link management module also operates a second aggregate link group of the protected virtual link aggregation as a standby for the first aggregate link group. The second aggregate link group comprises at least a second port of the one or more ports of the switch. Forwarding is enabled via the first port and disabled via the second port. |
| US09350677B2 |
Controller based network resource management
According to embodiments of the disclosure, methods, apparatuses, and computer products for controller based network resource management are disclosed. The method may include receiving a flow at a network controller, determining a flow parameter for the flow, and determining, via the network controller, an idle timeout for a flow rule, corresponding to the flow based on the flow parameter. Determining a previous idle timeout for the flow in response to determining that the flow has been received before, and determining an activity factor for the flow rule in response to the previous idle timeout being greater than or equal to the second value. The apparatus may be a network controller including a processor, and a memory configured to receive a flow, determine a flow parameter for the flow, and determine an idle timeout for the flow rule based on the flow parameter. |
| US09350676B2 |
Method and apparatus for classifying flows for compression
Methods and apparatus for wireless communication include receiving, at a compressor component, a data packet flow and determining information associated with the data packet flow from one or more data packets associated with the data packet flow. The determined information includes source or destination information corresponding to the one or more data packets of the data packet flow. Further, the methods and apparatus include classifying the data packet flow as a compressible or an uncompressed data packet flow based on the determined information, and compressing or skipping compressing of the one or more data packets associated with the data packet flow based on the classification of the data packet flow. Additionally, the methods and apparatus include transmitting the one or more compressed or uncompressed data packets depending on the classification of the data packet flow. |
| US09350673B2 |
Dynamic adjustment of quality of service parameters
A computer-implemented method for dynamic adjustment of quality of service parameters is described. In one embodiment, one or more quality of service (QoS) parameters of a client of a mesh network is set based on an expected bandwidth for the mesh network. An actual bandwidth for the mesh network is measured. One or more QoS parameters of the client is automatically changed in response to the actual bandwidth differing from the expected bandwidth. The change in the QoS parameters may be configured to compensate for the difference between the actual bandwidth and the expected bandwidth. |
| US09350672B2 |
Performance enhancement and congestion control of multipath protocol packets in a heterogeneous network environment with multipath transport protocols
An example method for performance enhancement in a heterogeneous network environment with multipath transport protocols is provided and includes receiving packets according to Transmission Control Protocol (TCP packets) and packets according to multipath TCP (MPTCP packets) in a network environment, determining that TCP packets are experiencing congestion in comparison to the MPTCP packets, and delaying acknowledgement packets (MPTCP ACK packets) corresponding to the MPTCP packets for a pre-determined time interval. In a specific embodiment, a local MPTCP proxy intercepts the TCP packets and forwards underlying data of the TCP packets according to MPTCP. |
| US09350667B2 |
Dynamically assigning packet flows
In general, in one aspect, the disclosure describes a method includes accessing data of an egress packet belonging to a flow, storing data associating the flow with at least one queue based on a source of the data of the egress packet. The method also includes accessing an ingress packet belonging to the flow, performing a lookup of the at least one queue associated with the flow, and enqueueing data of the ingress packet to the at least one queue associated with the flow. |
| US09350663B2 |
Enhanced large data transmissions and catastrophic congestion avoidance over TCP/IP networks
A system and method of reducing network congestion whereby significant improvement can be gained by the elimination of catastrophic network congestion failure within a TCP/IP network. Exemplary embodiments are implemented by an improved process for dealing with the retransmission of TCP window data. By reducing packet loss to a grid map and retransmitting only the lost pieces rather than the entire window, congestion can be eliminated. In a traditional TCP implementation, loss of packets within a specified window of data can cause the entire window of data to be retransmitted. This system and method improves this process by allowing only lost packets to be retransmitted and not properly received data that is merely part of a larger grouping that also contained lost data. |
| US09350661B2 |
Aggregation network with centralized control
An access network is described in which a centralized controller provides seamless end-to-end service from a core-facing edge of a service provider network through aggregation and access infrastructure out to access nodes located proximate the subscriber devices. The controller operates to provide a central configuration point for configuring aggregation nodes (AGs) of a network of the service provider so as to provide transport services to transport traffic between access nodes (AXs) and edge routers on opposite borders of the network. |
| US09350660B2 |
Transmission management system, transmission system, selection method, program product, program supply system, and maintenance system
A transmission management system selects a relay apparatus to actually relay content data between a first terminal and a second terminal, from among a plurality of relaying apparatuses capable of relaying the content data for conversation between the first and second terminals. Before the content data is transmitted and received between the first and second terminals, prior transmission information is transmitted and received instead of the content data. Thereby, it is possible to select one relaying apparatus capable of actually relaying the prior transmission information with the fastest speed. Thereby, it is possible to select the relaying apparatus capable of relaying the highest quality with the fastest speed under an actual communication network environment. |
| US09350659B1 |
Congestion avoidance for network traffic
In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a queue scheduler configured to schedule frames to be buffered through one of a plurality of queues wherein each queue is designated to buffer frames having a pre-assigned priority. Congestion control logic is configured to change the pre-assigned priority of one or more frames before the one or more frames are scheduled by the queue scheduler to cause the one or more frames to be buffered in a different queue than the queue designated for the pre-assigned priority. |
| US09350651B2 |
Packet forwarding device and wireless communication system
A packet forwarding device performs forwarding of a packet between first and second wireless communication networks to which different identifiers are attached, and includes: a relay network that is interposed between the first and second wireless communication networks; a first processing unit that is connected to the first wireless communication network and performs first routing control by using first routing information in which the first wireless communication network and the relay network are defined as outgoing interfaces; and a second processing unit that is connected to the second wireless communication network and performs second route control by using second routing information in which the second wireless communication network and the relay network are defined as outgoing interfaces. |
| US09350650B2 |
Switching to a backup traffic path by a label switching router in a multi-protocol label switching network
A label switching router (LSR) and a method of switching data traffic to a predefined backup traffic path by the LSR in an MPLS (multi-protocol label switching) network. The LSR, upon detection of failure of a protected path during an LDP session, maintains an LDP session and forwards data traffic via the backup traffic path according to a forwarding table. The forwarding table contains logical output interface information including an outgoing label, a logical output interface, and the next hop of the predefined backup path. |
| US09350649B2 |
Multipath communication devices and methods
The Residential Communications Gateway (RCG) is a broadband communications device that combines all voice, data and video communications to and from a typical residence or small business for transmission over a single, or a plurality of Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) lines separately or in conjunction with, a wireless broadband backbone. The RCG does this by employing packetized data with Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technologies combined with RF communications technologies. A key consideration to the design of the RCG is that no additional or special transmission equipment must be installed at the Central Office or anywhere else in the network to enable new calling features provided by the RCG as is the case with DSL and Cable systems. By eliminating the requirement for costly infrastructure enhancements, ubiquitous high speed communications and services can be deployed to every POTS subscriber. |
| US09350637B2 |
Systems and methods for generating and implementing monitoring solutions for a computing-based infrastructure
Systems and methods for generating and implementing monitoring solutions for a computing-based infrastructure are described. In one implementation, at least one monitoring objective is obtained, wherein the monitoring objectives are based on service related requirements associated with one or more computing systems within the computing-based infrastructure. Once the monitoring objectives are obtained, a plurality of monitoring elements are received, wherein the monitoring elements include attributes associated with the one or more systems. Based on the monitoring objectives and the monitoring elements, a monitoring solution is generated. |
| US09350629B2 |
System and method for ensuring internet protocol (IP) address and node name consistency in a middleware machine environment
A system and method can ensure Internet Protocol (IP) address and node name consistency when performing remote transactions via multiple un-related IP addresses for the same remote peer. The system can ensure that all cooperating peer nodes are in full agreement of the names and IP addresses at any point in time. In particular, when network configurations can be updated dynamically, the system can ensure that such updates do not lead to inconsistent or failed transactions because a peer node has a stale view of what addresses to use. Furthermore, the peer node that initiates the transaction can verify that all the other peer nodes have exactly the same view of the overall system configuration, in order to ensure that each distributed transaction is carried out using consistent address information. |
| US09350623B2 |
System and method for automated deployment of multi-component computer environment
A system and method are disclosed for automating the deployment of a multi-component computer environment. A user interface module (102) is configured to enable a user to design a desired topology of components in the multi-component computer environment. A deployment processing module (106) is configured to convert the desired topology to a set of deployment actions represented in a workflow script. An orchestration engine (114) is configured to use the set of deployment actions in the workflow script to execute an automated deployment of the multi-component computer environment on at least one deployment machine (118) to create the multi-component computer environment having the desired topology. |
| US09350619B2 |
N-node virtual link trunking (Vlt) supporting arbitrary topologies
Aspects of the present invention include an arbitrary N-Node virtual link trunking (VLT) system comprising a set of N nodes collectively provide a logical fabric-level view that is consistent across the set of N nodes. Embodiments of the arbitrary N-Node VLT system comprise a control plane mechanism to provide Layer 2 multipathing between access network devices (switches or servers) and the core network. The N-Node VLT system provides a loop-free topology with active-active load-sharing of uplinks from access to the core. Accordingly, the N-Node VLT system eliminates the disadvantage of Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) (active-standby links) by allowing link aggregation group (LAG) terminations on multiple separate distribution or core switches and also supporting a loop-free topology. Additional benefits of an N-Node VLT system include, but are not limited to, higher resiliency, improved link utilization, and improved manageability of the network. |
| US09350615B2 |
Management server, management device, and method of management of plural image forming apparatuses
Management server is provided. The management server includes a storage unit to store information about a plurality of client groups, a communication interface unit to receive management device identification information from a management device at remote distance connected to at least one image forming apparatus, a mapping unit to map at least one from among the plurality of client groups with the management device based on the received management device identification information, and a control unit to transmit an activation command to the mapped management device, the activation command directing the management device mapped with the client group to collect the information about the connected image forming apparatus. |
| US09350614B2 |
Preventing loss of virtual machine network profiles
A network management system deploys a network profile for a virtual machine to a physical switch after a restart of the physical switch when the virtual machine is downstream of the physical switch and the network profile for the virtual machine has been cached but not saved at the physical switch. |
| US09350613B2 |
Smart dumping of network switch forwarding database
Techniques are provided for retrieving entries from a routing table or a forwarding database in a distributed network switch. The forwarding database includes match and mask registers used to compare routing entries and return matching routing entries to a requesting management controller. The forwarding database uses a separate timeout value associated with the forwarding database to avoid timeout errors for general register operations, and allows for an asynchronous dump operation of routing entries. |
| US09350609B2 |
Configuring network devices
Systems and methods for configuring network devices are provided. Aspects of the disclosure relate to Quality of Service (QoS) configuration parameters and methods for using QoS configuration parameters to provide enhanced services to users in a network. A first computing device may receive an indication that a network device requires an updated communication parameter. The indication may be generated, for example, based on traffic on a port of the network device exceeding a threshold level. The first computing device may communicate with a second computing device to request and retrieve the updated communication parameter. The first computing device may provide the updated communication parameter to the network device. The transmission of the updated communication parameter may cause alteration of a first QoS associated with a first communication protocol of the network device. A second QoS associated with a second communication protocol of the network device may be left unchanged. |
| US09350606B2 |
System and method for assigning server to terminal and efficiently delivering messages to the terminal
Provided are a server assignment and messaging system and method and a directory server. The server assignment and messaging system includes a plurality of connection servers configured to form a server group, and a directory server configured to generate at least one hash value for each of the plurality of connection servers using identification (ID) information of the respective connection servers and generate a logical server group in which the connection servers are arranged in a ring shape according to the generated hash values. The directory server is configured to receive a server assignment request from a terminal, and assign one of the plurality of connection servers included in the logical server group to the terminal using a hash value generated from ID information of the terminal and a server assignment rule. |
| US09350604B1 |
Packet gateway assignment based on network connectivity
A first service request, on behalf of a wireless communication device (WCD) may be received. The first WCD may be served by a first base station of a first wireless network provider, and may be subscribed to a second wireless network provider. A home packet gateway (PGW) device, with which to establish an inter-provider bearer path for the first WCD, may be identified. The inter-provider bearer path may include the first base station, a first serving gateway (SGW) device, and the home PGW device. The home PGW device may be operated by the second wireless network provider. In response to determining that the home PGW device is unresponsive, a backup PGW device may be identified. The backup PGW device may be operated by the first wireless network provider. The first SGW device may be instructed to establish intra-provider bearer paths that include the backup PGW device. |
| US09350603B2 |
Daisy chain distribution in data centers
A method and a system to provide daisy chain distribution in data centers are provided. A node identification module identifies three or more data nodes of a plurality of data nodes. The identification of three or more data nodes indicates that the respective data nodes are to receive a copy of a data file. A connection creation module to, using one or more processors, create communication connections between the three or more data nodes. The communication connections form a daisy chain beginning at a seeder data node of the three or more data nodes and ending at a terminal data node of the three or more data nodes. |
| US09350597B1 |
Reserving space in a mail queue
A mail handler is provided. The mail handler manages a source queue for incoming messages. The source queue has a first count of slots in memory and is associated with a source read pointer and a source write pointer. The mail handler manages the source write pointer and the source read pointer. The mail handler also manages a destination queue for outgoing messages. The destination queue has a second count of slots in memory and is associated with a destination read pointer and a destination write pointer. The mail handler advances the destination write pointer in response to at least one of (i) transferring one or more messages form the source queue to the destination queue and (ii) reserving one or more slots in the destination queue. The at least one processor advances the destination read pointer in response to reading at least one message from the destination queue. |
| US09350595B1 |
System and method for serializing and deserializing data objects into a single binary stream
The present invention is a system and method for optimizing the storage and transmission of a data object. Specifically, the present invention improves current data object serialization and deserialization methods involving multiple data objects. Current serialization techniques provide for serialization and deserialization using a single data object per transmission, or stream. As such, data objects may be serialized, then streamed to a destination one data object at a time. Unfortunately, present serialization and deserialization techniques require that each object must be streamed on its own binary stream, so many streams may be simultaneously transmitting. This places a toll on the transmission pipeline, and results in an “out of memory” response from the associated software application. The present invention provides a system and method for enabling multiple data objects to be transmitted on a single binary stream, improving the efficiency of the software applications associated with the distributed collaboration environment. |
| US09350594B2 |
Shared back-to-back user agent
Mechanisms for sharing a Back-to-Back User Agent (B2BUA) instance between a plurality of services are provided. By sharing a single B2BUA instance, the need for additional Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)-related container processes and objects is obviated. In particular, a Micro-Sequencer Application Router Service (MSARS) is provided with the ability to deploy and undeploy a plurality of Micro-Sequenced Services (MSS) as well as provide a definition of a Micro-service B2BUAhelper class which creates linked SIP Sessions. |
| US09350592B2 |
Decompressing method and apparatus
A decompressing method and apparatus and belong to the field of communications. The method includes: receiving a compressed data packet and decompressing a sequence number compression code of the compressed data packet; obtaining a new reference sequence number according to time of receiving the compressed data packet, a buffered reference sequence number, reference time, and a unit sequence number time interval when a sequence number of the data packet fails to be decompressed because of successive packet losses; and re-decompressing the sequence number compression code of the data packet according to the new reference sequence number to obtain the sequence number of the data packet, where the reference sequence number is a sequence number of a last successfully decompressed data packet and the buffered reference time is time of receiving a compressed data packet, and the data packet is the last successfully decompressed data packet. |
| US09350591B2 |
Method and system for down-converting an electromagnetic signal
Methods for down converting a modulated carrier signal to a demodulated baseband signal are described herein. The method requires that a first portion of energy is transferred from the modulated carrier signal, and stored at a first storage device when a first switch is on. At least some of the energy stored in the first storage device is discharged when the first switch is off. The method further comprises transferring a second portion of energy from the modulated carrier signal, storing at a second storage device the second portion of transferred energy when a second switch is on, and discharging at least some of the energy stored in the second storage device when the second switch is off. A down-converted in-phase baseband signal portion is generated from the energy accumulated in the first storage device while both the charging and the discharging occurs, and a down-converted inverted in-phase baseband signal portion is generated from the energy accumulated in the second storage device while both the charging and the discharging occurs, and the two portions are combined with a first differential amplifier circuit to form a down-converted differential in-phase baseband signal. |
| US09350589B2 |
Multi IQ-path synchronization
Aspects of a wireless apparatus and a method for handling a modulated signal include a frequency generator that produces a clock signal, a first synchronization circuit that generates a first sync enable signal based on an even edge of the clock signal, a second synchronization circuit that generates a second sync enable signal based on an even edge of the clock signal, a first divider having a first initial operating condition that generates a first IQ path based on the first sync enable signal, and a second divider having a second initial operating condition that generates a second IQ path based on the second sync enable signal, wherein the first and second operating conditions are not equal when initially powered. |
| US09350585B2 |
Method and device for channel estimation, and corresponding computer program product
An embodiment of the time-variant channel estimation in an OFDM transmission system envisages the operations of: a) determining the received signal vector Yj,k for one or more of R receiving antennas, j=1, . . . , R, and at the current time instant k together with the frequency-domain channel-estimate vector Ĥj,k-1 at a preceding time instant k−1 and for each antenna j of one or more of R receiving antennas; b) producing a first estimate Âk of the transmitted digital symbols at the current time instant k on the basis of the aforesaid frequency-domain channel-estimate vectors Ĥj,k-1 at the preceding time instant k−1; c) computing an updated version of the frequency-domain channel-estimate vectors Ĥj,k at the current time instant k and for each antenna j of one or more of R receiving antennas on the basis of the received signal vectors Yj,k at the current time instant k and for each antenna j of one or more of R receiving antennas, using the aforesaid estimate Âk of the transmitted digital symbols at the current time instant k as set of known transmitted digital symbols; d) using the aforesaid updated version of the frequency-domain channel-estimate vectors Ĥj,k at the current time instant k and for each antenna j of one or more of R receiving antennas, for equalizing the paths of the transmission channel and decoding the received signal vectors Yj,k at the current time instant k and for each antenna j of one or more of R receiving antennas; and e) storing the updated versions of the channel-estimate vectors for using them in steps a) and b) at the next time instant k+1. |
| US09350580B2 |
Receiver arrangement and a method therein
An aspect of the solution herein is directed to a receiver arrangement (100) including multiple RF-filters (RF1, RF2, RF3) and RF-attenuators (RF-A1, RF-A2, RF-A3), one for each of multiple frequency bands (RX1, RX2, RX3), where each RF-attenuator (RF-A1, RF-A2, RF-A3) is provided with a respective power splitter (PS1, PS2, PS3) that connects the RF-attenuator to an average power detector (Pave), which is configured to monitor an average power of each frequency band, where all frequency bands share a common antenna arrangement (110), at least one common LNA (112, 112a, 112b) and a common mixer arrangement (114) configured to mix all frequency bands into a common analog signal, and where a peak power monitor arrangement (201) is configured to monitor the peak power of the common analog signal, wherein, the receiver arrangement includes a digitizer arrangement (200) configured to control the gain of each RF-attenuator based on the monitored average power of each band from the average power detector and a detected peak power of the common analog signal from the peak power monitor arrangement. |
| US09350578B2 |
Sigma-delta modulation apparatus and sigma-delta modulation power amplifier
To suppress noise generation in a wide band and to suppress a clock speed from being increased in a sigma-delta modulation apparatus and a sigma-delta modulation power amplifier. A sigma-delta modulator creates a sigma-delta modulated signal for a digital output from a digital modulator, according to a clock given in advance. A threshold comparator indexes a portion in which the level of a digital output from the digital modulator is higher than a predetermined threshold and sends the resulting output. A replacing unit replaces the indexed portion with an output from a corresponding thinning unit. A filter unit performs band elimination filter processing on an output from the replacing unit and a digital-to-analog converter (D/A) performs digital-to-analog conversion on an output from the filter unit. |
| US09350573B2 |
Apparatus and method for reducing discontinuities between waveforms in a communication system
An apparatus, method and system for reducing discontinuities between waveforms in a communication system. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a processor and memory including computer program code. The memory and the computer program code are configured, with the processor, to determine an amplitude and set of derivatives at an end point of a first symbol waveform, and determine an amplitude and set of derivatives at a beginning point of a second symbol waveform. The memory and the computer program code are configured, with the processor, to insert a guard period waveform having an amplitude and set of derivatives at a first end to substantially match the amplitude and set of derivatives at the end point of the first symbol waveform and an amplitude and set of derivatives at a second end that substantially matches the amplitude and set of derivatives at the beginning point of the second symbol waveform. |
| US09350572B1 |
Apparatus for clock and data recovery
An apparatus is provided. A first adder generates a first superposed signal in response to a first feedback equalization signal and an input signal. A second adder generates a second superposed signal in response to a second feedback equalization signal and the first superposed signal. An edge slicer generates an edge signal by slicing the first superposed signal. A data slicer generates a data signal by slicing the second superposed signal. An error slicer generates an error signal by slicing the second superposed signal. A CDR circuit generates a first and second clock signal in response to the data signal and the edge signal. An adaptive filter generates the reference signal and equalizer coefficients in response to data signal and the error signal. An equalizing unit generates the first feedback equalization signal and the second feedback equalization signal in response to the data signal and the equalizer coefficients. |
| US09350567B2 |
Network resource configurations
Temporally classifying and visually representing network and IT infrastructure with planned or occurred configuration activities and/or policy compliance or non-compliance of network and IT resources, including a method, apparatus and computer program for gathering and classifying observable configuration aspects of resources and relationships in a network of resources, wherein the method comprises: analyzing the network of resources to collect planned configuration times and actual resource status; monitoring actual resource status to make determinations if planned configurations are executed; and updating a network configuration status with the determinations. Planned and actual configurations are collected and monitored over a defined time range extending before and/or after a time zero. Each planned or actual configuration is categorized with respect to one or more time windows in the defined time range. |
| US09350562B2 |
Energy management control system and method based on cloud computing
An energy source management control system based on cloud computing may include a field controller, an energy consumption parameter collector and a cloud computing management control platform. The field controller may control each energy consumption device according to user defined parameters and send the user defined parameters to the cloud computing management control platform. The energy consumption parameter collector may collect parameters related to energy consumption of each energy consumption device and send the collected parameters to the cloud computing management control platform. The cloud computing management control platform may adjust a field control mode of the field controller according to the collected parameters related to energy consumption of each energy consumption device and the user defined parameters. |
| US09350561B1 |
Visualizing the flow of resources in an allocation model
Embodiments are directed towards visualizing the flow of resources in an allocation model. A visualization model may be selected based on an underlying allocation model. The visualization model may include visualization model items. Allocation model items in the allocation model may be mapped to the visualization model items included in the visualization model. If a visualization model item is selected, the source visualization model items that provide resources to the selected visualization model item may be determined. And, the target visualization model items that receive resources from the selected visualization model item may be determined. Input flow lines that start from the source visualization model items and end at the selected visualization model item may be generated and displayed. And, output flow lines that start from the selected visualization model item and end at the target visualization model items may be generated and displayed. |
| US09350559B2 |
Service discovery across different networks
Systems and techniques for service discovery and media sharing are described. For example, a described technique includes identifying, at a first device, a streaming service; receiving a request to establish communication with a second device, the first device and the second device being on different first networks, the first networks being different local multicast networks; and providing, in response to the request, service information to the second device to cause the second device to internally publish multicast domain name system (mDNS) information regarding the streaming service such that the streaming service is (i) discoverable by the second device via a mDNS query and (ii) accessible through a second network that interconnects the first networks. |
| US09350557B2 |
Multipurpose wall outlet with USB ports
A multipurpose wall outlet that provides electrical power via at least one standard electrical socket(s) and at least one USB port as well as providing a wired and wireless internet connection is disclosed. The multipurpose wall outlet has a housing in which is assembled at least one receiver for receiving a signal from a wireless data network, at least one processor for processing the signal from the wireless data network, at least one electrical socket, at least one USB port, at least one ethernet port, and a transmitter for transmitting a wireless data signal. |
| US09350553B1 |
One-to-many electronic signature process
Aspects of the invention include methods and systems for electronically signing a plurality of documents, such as an insurance application, a loan application, a set of mortgage papers, a bank application, or the like. A customer, or multiple customers, electronically submits the signature once and the customer's one signature is applied to all of the areas where the customer signature is required. The electronic signature may include initials and/or a graphical representation of the customer's handwritten signature. Aspects of the invention include an apparatus comprising a display, a memory, and a processor coupled to the memory and programmed with computer-executable instructions that, when executed, perform a method for electronically signing a plurality of documents. |
| US09350552B2 |
Document fingerprinting
An automated document processing machine may comprise an electro-mechanical transport subsystem configured to convey a document through the machine, and a camera arranged adjacent the transport and configured to capture an image of a front side of the document. A fingerprinting software component may be configured for processing the captured image of the document to create a unique digital fingerprint of the document based on the front side image, and a software interface may be configured for storing the digital fingerprint in a database of document identifiers in association with a unique alphanumeric identifier so that the document may be subsequently identified in a second processing machine that has access to the database. The digital fingerprint may be responsive to indicia that otherwise appears on the front side of the document, and may comprise data that identifies a document as being unique based on the front side indicia. |
| US09350549B2 |
Selective shredding in a deduplication system
Making a target file impractical to be retrieved comprises decrypting a directory manager file using a first directory manager file key. The directory manager file includes an encryption key for a segment that is used when reconstructing a target file. The directory manager file is modified by deleting a reference to the target file. The reference includes a file encryption key. Retrieving the target file is made impractical by the deletion of the reference to the target file in the directory manager file. The modified directory manager file is encrypted using a second directory manager file key. |
| US09350548B2 |
Two factor authentication using a protected pin-like passcode
For example, an implementation of the present invention can comprise a method for authenticating a user. The method can comprise an authentication server receiving from a user a password. The server can then hash the password such that a password hash is created. The server can then receive a second token from the user. Using the second token, the server can identify a sequence of characters associated with the second token within the password hash. The server can create an authentication token by removing the sequence of characters from the password hash. If the authentication token matches a stored value, the server can authenticate the user. |
| US09350547B2 |
Systems and methods for watermarking software and other media
Systems and methods are disclosed for embedding information in software and/or other electronic content such that the information is difficult for an unauthorized party to detect, remove, insert, forge, and/or corrupt. The embedded information can be used to protect electronic content by identifying the content's source, thus enabling unauthorized copies or derivatives to be reliably traced, and thus facilitating effective legal recourse by the content owner. Systems and methods are also disclosed for protecting, detecting, removing, and decoding information embedded in electronic content, and for using the embedded information to protect software or other media from unauthorized analysis, attack, and/or modification. |
| US09350545B1 |
Recovery mechanism for fault-tolerant split-server passcode verification of one-time authentication tokens
A recovery mechanism is provided for split-server passcode verification systems. An exemplary server-centric recovery scheme enables the system to respond to authentication attempts even if an authentication server is unavailable. The exemplary server-centric recovery scheme allows a periodic exchange of encrypted partial secret states among the authentication servers. Recovery occurs by allowing the decryption of the encrypted partial secret state that corresponds to the server that is unresponsive. An exemplary token-centric recovery scheme comprises determining that a first authentication server is unavailable; applying an authentication mechanism to a message requesting a token to change to a new split-state mode; and sending the authenticated message to the token. |
| US09350543B2 |
Method and system for homomorphicly randomizing an input
A fully homomorphic method and system for randomizing an input, wherein all computations are over a commutative ring is described. Equivalent methods for performing the randomization using matrices and polynomials are detailed, as well as ways to mix the matrix and polynomial functions. Addition, multiplication, and division of the matrix and polynomial functions is further described. By performing computations of the functions modulo N over a ring ZN, the functions are usable as encryption functions. The method and system can also be used for verifying that a returned result of a calculation performed by a third party is valid for any of the calculations described herein. Related methods, systems, and apparatus are also described. |
| US09350542B2 |
Quantum key distribution device, quantum key distribution system, and quantum key distribution method
According to an embodiment, a quantum key distribution (QKD) device includes a sharing unit, a correcting unit, a deciding unit, a calculator, and a privacy amplifier. The sharing unit is configured to generate a shared bit string through quantum key distribution with each other QKD device connected via quantum communication channels. The correcting unit is configured to generate a corrected bit string through an error correction process on the shared bit string. The deciding unit is configured to calculate an error rate in the corresponding quantum communication channel with respect to each other QKD device, and decide on a combined error rate from error rates calculated. The calculator is configured to calculate, based on the combined error rate, a length of an encryption key to be shared. The privacy amplifier is configured to generate the encryption key having the calculated length of the encryption key from the corrected bit string. |
| US09350540B1 |
System and method of secure encryption for electronic data transfer
A system for secure transfer of encrypted data involves a sender client, a recipient client, a main server, and a key server. The sender client receives instructions from a first user identifying transfer data and a recipient identifier, creates a key, encodes the transfer data using the key, and communicates the key and the recipient identifier to a server. The server creates a secure package identifier and communicates such to the sender client. The recipient client receives and identifies the secure package identifier and the encoded transfer data, receives from a second user a user identifier, and communicates the user identifier and the secure package identifier to the server. The server communicates the key to the recipient client only if the secure package identifier received from the recipient client matches the secure package identifier created by the server and if the user identifier matches the recipient identifier. |
| US09350537B2 |
Enhanced key management for SRNS relocation
A method that comprises maintaining, in a first node serving a mobile terminal over a connection protected by at least one first key, said first key and information about the key management capabilities of the mobile terminal. Upon relocation of the mobile terminal to a second node the method includes: if, and only if, said key management capabilities indicate an enhanced key management capability supported by the mobile terminal, modifying, by said first node, the first key, thereby creating a second key; sending, from the first node to the second node, the second key; and transmitting to the second node the information about the key management capabilities of the mobile terminal. |
| US09350533B2 |
Method and apparatus for delivering encrypted content to web browsers based on entropy of the content
An approach is provided for enabling a web browser to decrypt and to display encrypted information based on entropy calculations of the information. The decryption manager determines at least one entropy value for at least one element of at least one webpage. The decryption manager causes, at least in part, a decryption of the at least one element to generate at least one decrypted element based, at least in part, on a comparison of the at least one entropy value against one or more entropy threshold values. |
| US09350525B2 |
Method for processing PDSCH data
An embodiment of the present invention provides a method for processing Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) data, to be applied in a system, which supports to adjust uplink and downlink (UL-DL) configurations for Time Division Multiplexing (TDD) dynamically. The method includes: receiving, by a User Equipment (UE), a System Information Block 1 (SIB1); obtaining, by the UE, from the SIB1 a TDD UL-DL configuration employed by the UE in current system, in which the UE doesn't support dynamic service adaption; determining, by the UE, subframe type of subframe 6, wherein the subframe type of subframe 6 is a special subframe or a normal downlink subframe; and determining, by the UE, number of Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbols used for PDSCH transmission within subframe 6, based on the subframe type of subframe 6, and processing the PDSCH data of subframe 6. By adopting the technical solution provided by embodiments of the present invention, in a system which supports to dynamically adjust the TDD UL-DL configurations, a UE may be enabled to explicitly learn number of OFDM symbols used for the PDSCH transmission within subframe 6. Meanwhile, the UE and an evolved Node B (eNB) may be enabled not to confuse the number of OFDM symbols used for the PDSCH transmission. |
| US09350524B2 |
Method and apparatus for location based cell reselection and handovers
A method and apparatus are disclosed that enable a client terminal to decode additional information about one or more neighboring cells while maintaining connection with a serving cell. This enables the client terminal to resume the normal user data reception and transmission faster when compared to conventional methods. A result of this is reduced latency and improved user experience under cell reselection or handover conditions, which is especially beneficial for real time services such as voice, video and media streaming. |
| US09350522B2 |
Search space for uplink grant in an aggregated-carrier mobile communication system
The present invention relates to transmitting and receiving of control information in a system supporting carrier aggregation. A search space for control information is configured in such a way that at least two search spaces determined by respective component carriers are on a first slot of a subframe and a further search space determined by a further component carrier is on a second slot, wherein at least one candidate of search spaces in the first slot is mapped in a same resource block pair with at least one candidate of a search space in the second slot. |
| US09350521B2 |
Adaptive uplink/downlink timeslot assignment in a hybrid wireless time division multiple access/code division multiple access communication system
A method and apparatus for adaptive uplink/downlink resource assignment may include determining uplink interference associated with each of several uplink resources. The method and apparatus may produce an uplink list with values for the uplink resources. The method and apparatus may compare a downlink power level to a threshold for each of the downlink resources and produce a downlink list. The downlink list may be a bit stream providing an indication, for each downlink resource, indicating whether each of the downlink resources have a downlink power level which is less than or equal to the threshold. The method and apparatus may send the uplink and downlink lists. The method and apparatus may receive an uplink list and a downlink list from each of several neighboring wireless network devices. The method and apparatus may schedule uplink and downlink resources to a user equipment based on the uplink and downlink lists received. |
| US09350516B2 |
Uplink resource allocation to control intercell interference in a wireless communication system
Embodiments of the present invention exploit the reciprocity of radio channels in TDD, and longer-term correlation between average uplink and downlink path losses in FDD wireless communication systems to enable distributed schedulers in an enhanced uplink system to allocate uplink transmission resources while preemptively managing intercell interference levels. Each cell's base station transmits a downlink reference signal at a known transmission power level. A mobile station monitors the received signal strength of the downlink reference signals from multiple base stations. The transmitted and received signal strength levels can be used by the mobile station to estimate the amount of intercell interference that the mobile station's uplink transmissions cause, and the mobile station's uplink transmission parameters are adjusted accordingly. In further embodiments, the received reference signal power levels, or values derived therefrom, are transmitted by the mobile station to its serving base station, where a scheduling algorithm uses the information to adjust one or more transmission parameters relating to a grant of uplink transmission resources to the UE, thereby controlling the intercell interference generated by the mobile station's uplink transmissions. |
| US09350515B2 |
Enhanced relay node with additional backhaul alternative and selection
Systems, methods, and apparatuses for enhancing a relay node with additional backhaul alternatives and selection are provided. One system includes a first base station (BS) and backhaul user equipment (bUE) devices that communicate with the first BS through a first communication technology, and communicate with a data network through a second communication technology. A second base station (BS) communicates with the first BS and a second data network. The first BS is operative to communicate with user equipment (UE) devices, and network connect the UE devices to the data network or the second data network, select the bUE devices or the second BS for backhaul (BH) traffic, aid in selecting the transmission power level of the bUE devices or the UE devices, and transmit resource block (RB) scheduling information for the BH traffic transmission of the bUE devices and access traffic of the UE devices. |
| US09350514B2 |
Sending full channel quality indication reports on TDM channel in wireless communication
Multiple full channel quality indication (CQI) reports indicative of received signal quality for multiple carriers in wireless communication are transmitted in multiple time intervals of a CQI channel. |
| US09350512B2 |
Method for activating multiple streams transmission UE to transmit HS-DPCCH and UE thereof
The present document provides a method for a User Equipment (UE) which activates multi-stream transmission to transmit a High Speed Dedicated Physical Control Channel (HS-DPCCH) and a UE thereof, wherein the method is applied in a multi-stream transmission system, and includes: after receiving High-Speed Physical Downlink Shared Channel (HS-PDSCH) subframes transmitted from primary and secondary serving cells, the UE which activates the multi-stream transmission transmitting a HS-DPCCH carrying jointly encoded Acknowledge/Negative Acknowledgement (ACK/NACK) and Channel Quality Indicator (CQI) after a predetermined duration by taking a later received HS-PDSCH subframe of the pair of paired HS-PDSCH subframes as a reference, wherein the predetermined duration is determined according to a timing correlation by which the UE transmits the HS-DPCCH subframe and correspondingly receives the HS-PDSCH subframe, which is specified in the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) specification 25.211. |
| US09350507B2 |
Method and system for notification of scrambling code identification signalling group
Disclosed in the present disclosure is a method for notification of scrambling code identification signalling group, and the present disclosure comprises: a network side transmits a scrambling code identification signalling group to a receiver; the receiver generates a corresponding scrambling code sequence of a demodulation pilot according to the scrambling code identification signalling group, generates a pilot symbol sequence according to the scrambling code sequence of the demodulation pilot, and performs channel estimation according to the pilot symbol sequence. The present disclosure also provides a system for implementing the notification of scrambling code identification signalling group. According to the technical solution in the disclosure, the receiver can obtain, according to the scrambling code identification signalling group transmitted from the network side, the scrambling code sequence of the demodulation reference signal and/or demodulation pilot which is the same as that of the network side, and thus interference can be avoided. |
| US09350505B2 |
Peak to average power ratio (PAPR) reduction for repetition mode within single user, multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications
Selective processing of one or more packets to be transmitted from a wireless communication device to another wireless communication device is effective to reduce the peak to average power ratio (PAPR) of the transmission. The one or more packets are transmitted via two or more sub-bands of an available transmission medium. The number of coefficients or factors within that sequence corresponds to the number of sub-bands via which the one or more packets are to be transmitted. Also, a phase ramp or time-domain cyclic shift may be added to one or more of the packets after having undergone multiplication by one of the coefficients or factors within the sequence. |
| US09350501B2 |
Mobile communication system
A base station which uses either one of a plurality of component carriers individually or uses an aggregate carrier which is an aggregate of the above-mentioned plurality of component carriers to carry out radio communications with a mobile terminal corresponding to the above-mentioned component carrier and also carry out radio communications with a mobile terminal corresponding to the above-mentioned aggregate carrier is provided. The base station notifies a bandwidth of an aggregate carrier which is an aggregate of all of the above-mentioned component carriers, as a bandwidth which the above-mentioned base station uses, to the mobile terminal corresponding to the above-mentioned aggregate carrier. As a result, while an improvement in the transmission rate is provided according to the aggregate carrier, the base station can also support an operation of a mobile terminal corresponding to a component carrier. |
| US09350497B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting HARQ acknowledgement in OFDM radio communication system
A Physical Hybrid Automatic Repeat reQuest (ARQ) Indicator CHannel (PHICH) transmission method performed by a base station is provided. The method includes determining whether any PHICH resources are allocated to a current subframe; allocating, upon a determination that the current subframe does not have any PHICH resources allocated, a new PHICH resource; and transmitting a PHICH through the allocated new PHICH resource. |
| US09350492B2 |
Wireless communication apparatus and control method thereof
The method of controlling a wireless communication apparatus includes receiving data from a transmitter; transmitting information about transmission of the data to a plurality of receivers; transmitting the data to the plurality of receivers; receiving a response signal about error in receiving the data, from at least one of the plurality of receivers; and retransmitting the data to the plurality of the receivers. |
| US09350489B2 |
FEC frame header design for cable television signals
An efficient and reliable encoding method suitable for header information in a digital cable television transmission system is provided. An embodiment is shown for FEC frame headers in a DVB-C2 standard, along with the detection algorithm for the FEC header. In the DVB-C2 Standard, Adaptive Coding and Modulation (ACM) or Variable Coding and Modulation (VCM) is applied to each FEC block to provide as much flexibility as possible. As a result, a frame header is attached in front of each FEC frame to inform the coding rate, modulation type and physical layer pipe identifier. Besides the signaling of physical layer related information, the FEC frame header has to provide a structure so that it can be easily and reliably detected in the receiver. Motivated by the need in DVB-C2 Standard, an efficient and reliable method and apparatus to encode the FEC header for DVB-C2 Standard is provided in at least one implementation in this disclosure. In addition, the detection algorithm of the FEC header is described. |
| US09350485B2 |
Resource allocation method, identification method, radio communication system, base station, mobile station, and program
To solve a problem that although the increase of the number of frequency blocks by allocating discontinuous subcarriers (RBs) as in OFDM enables an increase in multi-diversity effect and an improvement in throughput, the number of RB allocation patterns increases with the increase of the number of frequency blocks, resulting in an increase in the amount of information relating to the allocated RBs, the resource block allocation unit is determined when resource blocks discontinuous on the frequency axis are allocated to a terminal, and the number of bits of scheduling information indicating the allocated resource blocks by using Tree Based is set to the number of bits corresponding to the determined allocation unit. |
| US09350484B2 |
Transport accelerator implementing selective utilization of redundant encoded content data functionality
Transport accelerator (TA) systems and methods for delivery of content to a user agent (UA) of a client device are provided according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Embodiments receive, by a request manager (RM) of the TA, fragment requests provided by the UA for requesting content from a content server, and determine an amount of redundant encoded content data to request for a fragment request of the fragment requests for use by the RM in recovering the fragment. |
| US09350482B2 |
Wavelength and bandwidth allocation method
A wavelength and bandwidth allocation method which includes in order: a wavelength allocation step of allocating each wavelength of an uplink signal to each ONU so that the sum of target bandwidths each allocated as a target to each of the ONUs to which each wavelength of the uplink signal is allocated does not exceed a bandwidth allocated to each wavelength of the uplink signal; and a bandwidth allocation step of allocating a bandwidth to each of the ONUs based on any one of a plurality of requested bandwidths accepted from each of the ONUs in each wavelength of the uplink signal so that the bandwidth actually allocated to each of the ONUs converges to the target bandwidth allocated as a target to each of the ONUs. |
| US09350481B2 |
Transport functions virtualization for wavelength division multiplexing (WDM)-based optical networks
A method for virtualizing an optical network, comprising: abstracting optical resource information corresponding to resources within the optical network, constructing a plurality of candidate paths for one or more optical reachability graph (ORG) node pairs, determining whether the candidate paths are optical reachable paths, and creating an ORG link between each ORG node pair when at least one optical reachable path exists for the ORG node pair, wherein linking the ORG node pairs creates an ORG. In another embodiment, a computer program product comprising executable instructions when executed by a processor causes a node to perform the following: determine an optical network's optical-electrical-optical (OEO) conversion capability, partition a plurality of service sites into one or more electrical reachability graph (ERG) nodes, determine a grooming capability for each ERG node, and construct a plurality of electrical-layer reach paths between the ERG nodes to form an ERG. |
| US09350476B2 |
Method and user equipment for measuring interference, and method and base station for receiving interference information
A method and apparatus for providing information indicating radio resources for multi-cell interference measurement at a BS so that a UE can more accurately measure interference are disclosed. |
| US09350475B2 |
Physical layer signaling to user equipment in a wireless communication system
A method of wireless communication includes receiving physical layer signaling from a serving eNodeB in a wireless network. Interference estimation, interference cancellation and/or spatial equalization of user equipment is controlled in accordance with the received signaling. |
| US09350474B2 |
Digital audio routing system
A digital audio routing system providing a process and system for managing multi-channel audio signals and a plurality of language signals, and decoding the signals into serial sound data to create a program serial data and a plurality of language serial data. The program serial data and the plurality of language serial data are aligned, and the program serial data is separated. The plurality of language serial data are separated to create a plurality of language channels. At least one language channel is mixed with at least one serial data to generate a language channel mix. The levels of each program serial data and language channel mix are adjusted to generate a final output mix. The final output mix is encoded to adhere to the AES-3id standard to create an output signal, and the output signal is then transmitted. |
| US09350463B2 |
Electronic device, communication method, audio device and amplifier device using pulse density modulation for communication
The present invention discloses an electronic device using pulse density modulation for communication, comprising: a pulse density modulation interface; a first circuit to output a clock signal and a data signal through the pulse density modulation interface; and a second circuit to receive the clock and data signals and thereby determine whether the level change times of the data signal reach a predetermined threshold while the clock signal remains unchanged, so as to verify whether the clock and data signals satisfy a start protocol. In an embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned predetermined threshold is equal to or more than three. |
| US09350455B2 |
Optical transmitter and bias control method of optical modulator
An optical transmitter includes: a drive signal generator configured to generate a drive signal from input data; an optical modulator configured to generate an optical signal corresponding to the drive signal; a superimposer configured to superimpose a first reference signal on the drive signal and superimpose a second reference signal on a bias voltage of the optical modulator; a detector configured to detect the first reference signal and the second reference signal included in the optical signal, and generate a first monitor signal indicating intensity and a phase of the detected first reference signal and a second monitor signal indicating intensity and a phase of the detected second reference signal; and a controller configured to control the bias voltage of the optical modulator in a control scheme determined based on the first monitor signal and the second monitor signal. |
| US09350453B2 |
Optical access network having emitter-free customer premise equipment and adaptive communication scheduling
An access network includes an access device having an optical interface module that outputs a plurality of pairs of optical communication signals, each of the pairs of optical communication signals comprising a modulated optical transmit signal and an unmodulated optical receive signal, each of the pairs of optical communication signals having a different wavelength. A customer premise equipment (CPE) comprises an optical interface module to receive the modulated optical transmit signal and the unmodulated optical receive signal for any of the plurality of pairs of optical communication signals. The optical interface module includes a receive module to demodulate the modulated optical transmit signal into inbound symbols and a transmit module having an optical modulator and reflective optics to modulate the unmodulated optical receive signal in accordance with a data signal and reflect a modulated optical receive signal to communicate outbound data symbols to the access device. |
| US09350451B2 |
Signal detection for optical transmitters in networks with optical combining
Signal detection for optical transmitters in networks with optical combining. Presented herein is a multi-faceted means for performing electrical to optical conversion such as in an optical transmitter as implemented within a communication system including at least some optical communication links therein. The turning on and turning off of a light source (e.g., a laser diode (LD), a light emitting diode (LED), and/or other component that performs electrical to optical conversion) is performed in accordance with a number of operational parameters. Some communication systems include multiple optical links (e.g., multiple fiber-optic links) from multiple transmitters that connect to a common receiver. In addition, some optical transmitters include multiple electrical links (e.g., multiple electrical communication links) from multiple communication devices that connect thereto. |
| US09350444B2 |
Wireless communication device with switched polarization and methods for use therewith
A wireless communication device includes a polarity setting module configured to set a plurality of polarity modes for the wireless communication with the plurality of external devices. The plurality of polarity modes includes selected ones of at least: a first polarity mode, and a second polarity mode. The polarity setting module sets the plurality of polarity modes based on information received from the plurality of external devices. A framing module is configured to generate data for transmission to the plurality of external devices based on the plurality of polarity modes set by the polarity setting module. |
| US09350442B2 |
System architecture for providing communications in a wireless communication network
A method for performing communications in a wireless communication network includes receiving mobility information about at least one moving mobile station in a mobility server of the wireless communications network, using the mobility information from the mobility server for calculating antenna weights to be applied to antenna elements of an antenna array for steering a beam generated by the antenna array to the moving mobile station preferably using space-division multiple access, SDMA. Embodiments also relate to a base station, to a mobile station, and to a wireless communication network. |
| US09350441B2 |
Rapid deployment airborne repeater
A compact, portable repeater system is disclosed. In an implementation, the system includes a receiver configured to receive a first signal via an antenna during a first time interval, a transmitter configured to transmit a second signal via the antenna during a second time interval, and a communication isolator coupled to the transmitter and the receiver. The communication isolator is configured to communicatively isolate the transmitter from the receiver to allow the transmitter and the receiver to utilize the antenna. The transmitter, the receiver, and the receiver are enclosed within a vault. The communication isolator has a vertically stacked configuration for allowing the communication isolator to be enclosed within the vault. The portable repeater system is configured to be deployed at the same height as the antenna to at least substantially eliminate antenna transmission line signal losses. |
| US09350435B2 |
Precoding matrix indicator feedback method, receive end, and transmit end
The present invention provides a precoding matrix indicator feedback method, a receive end, and a transmit end. The method includes: selecting, by a receive end based on a reference signal, a precoding matrix W from a codebook, where a coefficient α is used to perform phase adjustment on φn in W, φn represents a phase difference between weighted values of a first antenna group and a second antenna group of a transmit end for a transmission signal from a same transmission layer, φ n ∈ { ⅇ j 2 π n Q } , and the first antenna group and the second antenna group belong to a same multi-antenna system; and sending, by the receive end, a precoding matrix indicator (PMI) to the transmit end. In this way, using the coefficient α to perform the phase adjustment on φn can increase a size of a codebook set applicable to different antenna configurations, and improve precision of the receive end to feed back a PMI. |
| US09350434B2 |
Channel sounding method in wireless local area network system and apparatus for supporting the same
A method for a channel sounding in a wireless local area network. A station receives a 20 MHz null data packet announcement (NDPA) frame and at least one duplicate 20 MHz NDPA frame. The at least one duplicate 20 MHz NDPA frame is a duplicate of the 20 MHz NDPA frame. The station also receives a null data packet (NDP) following the 20 MHz NDPA frame and the at least one duplicate 20 MHz NDPA frame. The bandwidth over which the 20 MHz NDPA frame and the at least one duplicate 20 MHz NDPA frame are transmitted is the same as a bandwidth over which the NDP is transmitted. The station transmits a report frame for the channel sounding. The 20 MHz NDPA frame and the at least one duplicate 20 MHz NDPA frame comprise bandwidth information indicating the bandwidth over which the frames are transmitted. |
| US09350430B2 |
Multi-user null data packet (MU-NDP) sounding within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications
Multi-user null data packet (MU-NDP) sounding within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. Within communication systems including multiple wireless communication devices (e.g., one or more APs, STAs, etc.), channel sounding of the selected communication links between the various wireless communication devices is performed. A MU-NDP announcement frame is transmitted to and received by various wireless communication devices indicating which of those wireless communication devices (e.g., one, some, or all) are being sounded. Then, respective NDP sounding frames are transmitted via the communication links corresponding to those wireless communication devices (e.g., one, some, or all) are being sounded, and sounding feedback signals are subsequently sent back to the original transmitting wireless communication device. In some instances, after transmission of the MU-NDP announcement frame, a clear to send (CTS) is sent from at least one of the wireless communication devices thereby precipitating the transmission of the NDP sounding frames. |
| US09350429B2 |
Signal transmission method, base station and system for multiple-user multiple-input multiple-output system
The present invention provides a signal transmission method for a multiple-user multiple-input multiple-output system, includes: in a signal sending time slot, sending a signal to user terminals through each antenna via preset subcarriers in a signal sending time slot; sending a first public information signal to the user terminals through each antenna via the preset subcarriers in a public information sending time slot. According to the technical solution provided by the present invention, the problem that signal transmission delay of a multiple-user multiple-input multiple-output system where a channel changes rapidly is too long is solved. |
| US09350426B2 |
Selecting a receiving antenna in a wireless local area network
The disclosure involves selecting a receiving antenna in a wireless local area network, comprises: testing each antenna in an antenna array to obtain an antenna quality parameter of each antenna corresponding to a client Station, and determining an optimal receiving antenna corresponding to said Station according to the antenna quality parameter of each antenna corresponding to the Station; setting the optimal receiving antenna corresponding to said Station as the receiving antenna upon receiving a notification transmission message transmitted by said Station. |
| US09350424B2 |
Coexistence method by requesting access to the channel
Systems and methods for implementing coexistence by requesting access to a channel in power line communications (PLC) are described. In an illustrative embodiment, a method performed by a PLC device, such as a PLC meter, may include detecting a communication from foreign PLC device on a PLC network in response to a foreign preamble received by the PLC device, determining whether a threshold back-off duration has been reached, and transmitting a channel access request in response to a determination that the threshold back-off duration has been reached. |
| US09350423B2 |
Methods and system for increasing data transmission rates across a three-phase power system
A method for providing information by optimizing the data rate to a vehicle over a three-phase power line utilized to provide power to the vehicle is described. The method includes generating carrier signals in three separate frequency bands, modulating various data onto the three carrier signals to generate three transmission signals, switching the three transmission signals onto respective conductors of the three-phase power line, demodulating the various data within the vehicle, and providing the various data to one or more vehicle systems. The three transmission signals are dynamically monitored such that the three frequency bands are controlled to optimize a data rate of the transmission. |
| US09350421B2 |
Configurable, power supply voltage referenced single-ended signaling with ESD protection
A single-ended data transmission system transmits a signal having a signal voltage that is referenced to a power supply voltage and that swings above and below the power supply voltage. The power supply voltage is coupled to a power supply rail that also serves as a signal return path. The signal voltage is derived from two signal supply voltages generated by a pair of charge pumps that draw substantially same amount of current from a power supply. |
| US09350420B1 |
Determining downstream power back-off parameters
Methods, systems, and apparatus for determining values of downstream power back-off parameters are disclosed. In one aspect, a method includes receiving cable loss data of a cable configured to deliver a digital subscriber line (DSL) signal; identifying a cable model that characterizes a cable loss value at a frequency over a length of the cable; and determining a set of downstream power back-off (DPBO) parameter values of the cable model based on a product of a pseudo-inverse of a frequency matrix including a plurality of different frequencies and a vector of the cable loss data that includes a plurality of cable loss values with respect to the plurality of different frequencies of the pseudo-inverse of the frequency matrix. |
| US09350418B2 |
System and method of using variable pulses for symbology
A method and system for storing and transmitting data using variable pulse characteristics to represent ASCII or UNICODE characters, of the value of a string of data using a number base higher than 2. Pulse characteristics are modified to correspond to different data values. Pulse characteristics can include pulse durations, pulse spacings, pulse amplitudes, pulse phases, pulse polarities, pulse shapes and/or other pulse characteristics. |
| US09350417B2 |
Wireless transmission apparatus, wireless reception apparatus, and wireless communication method
To improve the operation and the effect of ICIC by appropriately limiting resources of a reference signal. An SRS generating unit (154) generates an SRS as a reference signal based on SRS information transmitted from a reception unit (156), and a transmission unit (155) transmits the SRS based on the SRS information transmitted from the reception unit (156). At this time, by using information that represents an SRS drop resource as a transmission drop resource set in advance, the transmission of the SRS from the transmission unit (155) is dropped in a resource in which an SRS transmission resource used for transmitting the SRS is an SRS drop resource. |
| US09350411B2 |
Full duplex backhaul radio with MIMO antenna array
A intelligent backhaul radio have an advanced antenna system for use in PTP or PMP topologies. The antenna system provides a significant diversity benefit. Antenna configurations are disclosed that provide for increased transmitter to receiver isolation, adaptive polarization and MIMO transmission equalization. Adaptive optimization of transmission parameters based upon side information provided in the form of metric feedback from a far end receiver utilizing the antenna system is also disclosed. |
| US09350409B2 |
Mobile terminal and inner frame provided therein
There is disclosed a mobile terminal that is able to prevent failure in proper combination of elements that might be deformed when an external shock is applied to a corner of a mobile terminal, and an inner frame provided in a case of the mobile terminal and an inner frame provided in a case of the mobile terminal. A corner of the inner frame is exposed outside such that an external shock is applied to the corner of the mobile terminal can be delivered to the inner frame having a large rigidity to prevent deformation of the corner of the case. Accordingly, the deformation of the corner of the case may be reduced and durability and completeness of the mobile terminal can be enhanced. |
| US09350408B2 |
Manpack two-way radio mount system
A mount system (10) for a portable radio. The mount system (10) includes a base member (20) which defines a support surface (22) with a given perimeter and a skirt depending from the support surface (22) over at least a portion of the given perimeter. At least one connecting mechanism is defined by the base member. A cover member (50) including a plate member (52) is interconnected to the base member such that a radio receiving space is defined between the plate member (52) and the support surface (22). |
| US09350406B1 |
Transceiver and operating method thereof
A transceiver and a transceiver operating method are disclosed. The transceiver is coupled to a bus. The transceiver includes a receiving unit, a transmitting unit, and a detection unit. The receiving unit is coupled to the bus. The transmitting unit is coupled to the bus. The detection unit is coupled to the receiving unit and the transmitting unit respectively. The detection unit receives a first input signal, a receiver enabling signal, and a transmitter enabling signal respectively and selectively enhances the first input signal and the transmitter enabling signal according to a result of comparing the receiver enabling signal and the transmitter enabling signal. Then, the detection unit transmits the enhanced first input signal and transmitter enabling signal to the bus through the transmitting unit. |
| US09350402B1 |
Wideband beamformer system
An adaptive phased-array processing solution, referred to as the Wideband Beamformer System (WBS), demonstrates an improvement in the range and quality of air link surveillance downlink wireless cell radio signals. The WBS applies wideband frequency-domain adaptive beamforming to preprocess the dense RF signal environment, minimizing co-channel interference (CCI) from each signal, and then reconstructing a “clean” version of the signal for input to the existing surveillance receiver(s). |
| US09350400B1 |
Unequal rate interference cancellation
A method for receiving and removing co-channel interference from one or more received signals that comprise different symbol or chipping rates can comprise receiving a first composite signal and a second composite signal. The method can also comprise sampling the first composite signal and the second composite signal at a particular sampling rate that is sufficient to recover signal data from both the first composite signal and the second composite signal. Further, the method can comprise estimating from the second composite signal an estimated cross-coupled second signal within the first composite signal. The estimated cross-coupled second signal is estimated from at least the second composite signal at the particular sampling rate. Further still, the method can comprise recovering a substantially decoupled first data signal by removing at least a portion of the co-channel interference caused by the estimated cross-coupled second signal from the composite first signal. |
| US09350399B1 |
Method and apparatus for baseband processing an analog signal in a direct conversion radio receiver
A method and apparatus are provided for reducing aliasing in a direct conversion (or zero-IF) radio receiver having high and low frequency paths. According to an implementation, a non-transitory machine-readable memory stores aliasing correlation response data that associates a measured non-aliased signal in a high frequency path and a measured aliased residual of the signal in a low frequency path. A compensator is in communication with the memory to apply aliasing compensation to received signals based on the stored aliasing correlation response data. In an example implementation, the low and high frequency paths are independently optimized for low and high frequency performance, respectively, and have transfer functions that overlap with one another to create a calibration zone used to calibrate the first and second transfer functions. |
| US09350398B2 |
Multiple interferer cancellation for communications systems
An interference cancellation system (ICS) may be used with a communication system to prevent or minimize interference from one or more sources. The ICS may receive radio RF signals comprised of one or more signals of interest (SOI) and multiple interfering signals. The ICS may use a sample of the interfering signals to cancel the interfering signals from the SOI. The multiple interfering signals may be converted into a single optical signal for cancellation. One or more optical cancellation paths may be used for interference cancellation. Each optical cancellation path may include an optical attenuator and/or an optical delay to achieve phase shifts and/or delays for interference cancellation. |
| US09350396B2 |
Systems and methods for reducing signal distortion in wireless communication
System and methods are provided for reducing signal distortion in wireless communication. An example system includes: an up-converter configured to generate a radio frequency signal based at least in part on a baseband signal for wireless communication and an oscillation signal; an amplifier configured to amplify the radio frequency signal and generate a transmission signal, the transmission signal including a first counter-intermodulation component associated with the up-converter and a second counter-intermodulation associated with the amplifier; and a signal generator configured to output a distortion-cancellation signal to the up-converter to reduce signal distortion associated with the first counter-intermodulation component and the second counter-intermodulation component. |
| US09350395B2 |
Transmitting circuit and transceiver system including the same
A transmitting circuit includes a positive differential node, a negative differential node, a voltage mode driver, and a current mode driver. The voltage mode driver generates a first positive differential signal and a first negative differential signal. The voltage mode driver provides the first positive differential signal to the positive differential node and provides the first negative differential signal to the negative differential node. The current mode driver generates a second positive differential signal and a second negative differential signal. The current mode driver provides the second positive differential signal to the positive differential node and provides the second negative differential signal to the negative differential node. A differential signal voltage swing width between the positive differential node and the negative differential node is based at least on the operational state of the current mode driver and/or the voltage mode driver. |
| US09350394B2 |
Wireless communication device using time-variant antenna module
Embodiments of the present disclosure describe methods, apparatuses, and systems related to a wireless communication device using time-variant antenna. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed. |
| US09350393B2 |
De-emphasis filtering audio signals in response to composite control signal
Digital values representing an audio signal are formed in a FM transmitter. The deviation of the amplitude of the audio signal as represented by the digital values, from a reference amplitude level, is measured. The audio signal is filtered based on the deviation measured by processing the digital values, with the filtering designed to filter different frequency components of the audio signal with different respective magnitudes. Another set of digital values representing the filtered audio signal is generated, and used to frequency modulate a carrier signal to generate a FM signal. Over-modulation of the FM signal is thereby controlled. |
| US09350392B2 |
RFIC configuration for reduced antenna trace loss
An RFIC configuration for reduced antenna trace loss is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, an apparatus includes a primary RFIC and a secondary RFIC that is configured to receive analog signals from at least two antennas. The secondary RFIC is configured to process selected analog signals received from at least one antenna to generate an analog output that is input to the primary RFIC. |
| US09350391B1 |
System and method for dynamic scaling of LDPC decoder in a solid state drive
In some embodiments of the present invention, a data storage device includes a controller and a memory. The data storage device further includes an LDPC encoder and decoder, with the decoder implementing a dynamic precision-rescaling technique for improving performance. In one embodiment, the technique works by rescaling the binary representations of the input log-likelihood ratios (LLRs) and messages upon activation of decoder-state-based triggers. Various triggering functions are introduced, e.g., checking if the number of output LLRs smaller than a certain limit crosses a threshold, checking if the weight of a syndrome crosses a threshold, etc. This technique offers an improvement in the performance of the decoder. |
| US09350389B2 |
Error correction coding across multiple channels in content distribution systems
Error correction coding across multiple channels is provided in multi-channel transmission systems. Specifically, redundancy is provided by selecting a portion of original data from each of a plurality of original channels, performing at least one encoding operation using the portions of original data to produce at least one portion of redundancy data, including the portion of redundancy data in at least one redundancy channel, and transmitting the redundancy channel along with the original channels. Error correction is achieved by receiving at least one redundancy channel and a plurality of original channels, selecting a portion of redundancy data from the redundancy channel, selecting a portion of original data from each of the original channels, and performing at least one decoding operation using the portion of redundancy data and the portions of original data to correct at least one error in the portions of original data. |
| US09350386B2 |
Memory device, memory system, and method of operating the same
A memory device, a memory system, and a method of operating the same. The memory device includes a memory cell array including a plurality of memory cells and a write command determination unit (WCDU) that determines whether a write command input to the memory device is (to be) accompanied a masking signal. The WCDU produces a first control signal if the input write command is (to be) accompanied by a masking signal. A data masking unit combines a portion of read data read from the memory cell array with a corresponding portion of input write data corresponding to the write command and generates modulation data in response to the first control signal. An error correction code (ECC) engine generates parity of the modulation data. |
| US09350383B2 |
Run total encoded data processing
A system, method and data structure for processing a sequential set of data. A set of data is processed such the repetitive sequences of data are represented by a value and an offset of the last array element in the sequence. The resulting compressed array facilitates binary searching of data element values, modification of data element values, and/or addition/deletion of data array elements without requiring a regeneration of the array. |
| US09350382B1 |
Pad encoding and decoding
A system, method and computer program product for encoding an input string of binary characters representing alphanumeric characters. A system includes: a register for storing a two dimensional cellular shape definition including a starting empty cell; a character writing engine for writing a binary character to an empty cell with a predefined initial position; a next cell determination engine for determining a next empty cell by methodically traversing neighboring cells in the two dimensional shape until an empty cell is located; a loop facilitator for looping back to the character writing engine and the next cell determining engine until there are no more data characters or a next empty cell is not determined; and a serialization engine for methodically serializing the two dimensional cells into a one dimensional binary string of characters representing an encoded string of alphanumeric characters. |
| US09350374B2 |
Configurable time-interleaved analog-to-digital converter
A time-interleaved analog-to-digital converter for conversion of L analog input signals to L corresponding digital output signals comprises an array of N (N>L) constituent analog-to-digital converters each having an analog input and a digital output and each adapted to digitize an analog input sample, and a controller adapted to (for each of the L analog input signals indexed by i=1, 2, . . . , L) select a number Ni, of constituent analog-to-digital converters from the array of N constituent analog-to-digital converters (wherein Ni≧1 and Σi=1L Ni≦N), and cause each sample of the analog input signal to be digitized in a respective one of the selected Ni, constituent analog-to-digital converters. The analog-to-digital converter also comprises a multiplexer adapted to (for each of the L analog input signals) multiplex the digitized samples of each of the selected Ni constituent analog-to-digital converters to produce the digital output signal. |
| US09350373B1 |
Analog-to-digital converter and long-term-evolution advanced device and method for analog-to-digital conversion
An analog-to-digital conversion that converts an input signal to an output signal by using multiple analog-to-digital converting circuits. A first analog-to-digital converting circuit generates a first signal based on the input signal and further outputs a feature signal of a first quantization error of the first analog-to-digital converting circuit. A second analog-to-digital converting circuit generates a second signal based on the input signal and the feature signal. The output combiner combines the first signal and the second signal to generate the output signal and thereby to reduce a quantization error factor in the output signal that is due to the first quantization error. |
| US09350367B2 |
High agility frequency synthesizer phase-locked loop
A highly agile low phase noise frequency synthesizer is provided for rapid generation of frequency specific signals. The frequency synthesizer is capable of rapidly generating signals at different output frequencies while maintaining low cross-coupling. Two or more signal generators utilize a reference frequency to generate two or more signals. These signals are limit processed to reduce cross-coupling prior to being presented to a switch. Responsive to a control signal, the switch outputs one of the signals to a frequency modification device, such as a frequency divider or multiplier. Responsive to a control signal, the frequency modification device scales the frequency of the switch output to convert the frequency of the switch output signal to a desired output frequency. By maintaining sufficient frequency separation between the switch input signals cross-coupling and phase noise is minimized and implementation on an integrated circuit may be achieved. |
| US09350364B1 |
Phase-locked loop circuit having low close-in phase noise
Phase-locked loop (PLL) circuits and methods of operation are disclosed. At frequencies that are closer to a center frequency, the phase noise characteristics contributed by a crystal oscillator in a first PLL sub-circuit dominate over the phase noise characteristics contributed by a second PLL sub-circuit, resulting in low close-in phase noise in the overall PLL circuit output signal, while at frequencies farther from the center frequency, the phase noise characteristics contributed by the second PLL sub-circuit dominate over the phase noise characteristics contributed by the crystal oscillator in the first PLL sub-circuit, resulting in low phase noise in the overall PLL circuit output signal at those frequencies. |
| US09350362B2 |
Programmable slew rate phase locked loop
A system includes a first phase-locked loop (PLL) circuit, a slew rate limiter and a second PLL. The first PLL is configured to receive an input signal, generate a first output identifying a frequency associated with the input signal, and generate a second output identifying phase information associated with the input signal. The slew rate limiter is configured to receive the first output from the first PLL, determine whether the frequency of the first output is changing at greater than a predetermined rate, and generate a first signal indicating whether the frequency is changing at greater than the predetermined rate. The second PLL is configured to receive the first signal from the slew rate limiter, receive the second output from the first PLL, and generate an output signal identifying an angle or phase information based on the first signal and the second output. |
| US09350360B2 |
Systems and methods for configuring a semiconductor device
A system for configuring a semiconductor device to generate an output signal. The system includes a temperature sensor configured to sense a plurality of operating temperatures of the semiconductor device, the plurality of operating temperatures including at least a first operating temperature and a second operating temperature. A controller is configured to determine a plurality of operating frequencies of the output signal at respective operating temperatures of the plurality of operating temperatures. The plurality of operating frequencies include a first operating frequency of the output signal when the semiconductor device is at the first operating temperature and a second operating frequency of the output signal when the semiconductor device is at the second operating temperature. Memory is configured to store calibration information that associates each of the plurality of operating temperatures of the semiconductor device with respective operating frequencies of the plurality of operating frequencies. |
| US09350358B2 |
Semiconductor device
Provided is a semiconductor device where a signal-transmission speed. The semiconductor device comprises a first logic element, a first switch electrically connected to the first logic element, and a second logic element electrically connected to the first switch. The first logic element includes at least a second switch, and the second switch has a function of setting an output potential from the first logic element to a L level. The first logic element may include a memory electrically connected to a register. The memory has a function of holding data of the register, and the register has a function of setting an output potential to a L level after holding the data in the memory. |
| US09350357B2 |
Reconfigurable semiconductor device
A reconfigurable semiconductor device includes a plurality of logic units connected to each other via address lines or data lines, each of the logic units including: a plurality of address lines; a plurality of data lines; a first address decoder that decodes addresses inputted from some of the address lines; a second address decoder that decodes addresses inputted from the other of the address lines; a first memory cell unit having a plurality of memory cells and selecting, among said plurality of memory cells, a predetermined number of memory cells in accordance with the address decoded by the first address decoder; and a second memory cell unit having a plurality of memory cells and selecting, among said plurality of memory cells, a predetermined number of memory cells in accordance with the address decoded by the second address decoder. |
| US09350356B2 |
Reconfigurable circuit
According to one embodiment, a reconfigurable circuit includes first, second, third and fourth circuit blocks arranged with a matrix, a first conductive line shared by the first and second circuit blocks, a second conductive line shared by the third and fourth circuit blocks, a third conductive line shared by the first and third circuit blocks, the third conductive line crossing the first and second conductive lines, a fourth conductive line shared by the second and fourth circuit blocks, the fourth conductive line crossing the first and second conductive lines, a first controller controlling voltages to be applied to the first and second conductive lines, and a second controller controlling voltages to be applied to the third and fourth conductive lines. |
| US09350354B2 |
PUF circuit based on ZTC point of MOSFET
A physical unclonable function (PUF) circuit based on a zero temperature coefficient (ZTC) point of a metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET), the PUF circuit including at least one PUF circuit unit. Each PUF circuit unit includes: a deviation signal generating circuit module, a signal selection circuit, and a comparison output circuit. The deviation signal generating circuit module includes two deviation signal generating circuits. A control voltage input terminal of the deviation signal generating circuit is supplied with a control voltage, and the control voltage enables a first NMOS, a second NMOS, a third NMOS, a fourth NMOS, a fifth NMOS, a sixth NMOS, a seventh NMOS, and an eighth NMOS to work at a ZTC point. |
| US09350353B2 |
Method and apparatus for equalizing a level shifted signal
A method and apparatus are provided for equalizing an output of a level shifter so as to obtain a symmetrical transition. In one implementation, a transition equalizing inverter includes: an NMOS for establishing a high-to-low transition for an equalized signal in response to a low-to-high transition of an asymmetrical signal; a delay circuit for outputting a delayed signal in response to the asymmetrical signal; and a PMOS for establishing a low-to-high transition for the equalized signal in response to a high-to-low transition of the delayed signal, wherein a delay introduced by the delay circuit offsets a timing mismatch between a low-to-high transition and a high-to-low transition of the asymmetrical signal. In an embodiment, the delay circuit comprises a transmission gate. A corresponding method is also provided. |
| US09350347B2 |
Level shift circuit and DC-DC converter for using the same
A level shift circuit and a DC-DC buck converter controller for using the same are disclosed. The level shift circuit is capable of detecting a state of a converting circuit, and avoids a current leakage when determining that the converting circuit is operating under a light-load. Therefore, the level shift circuit and the DC-DC converting controller provided by the present invention can reduce power consumption under the light-load and have power-saving advantage. |
| US09350344B2 |
Test pattern membrane and method for testing capacitive sensors
A test pattern membrane test method uses a test pattern membrane to test the capacitive sensors of a device. The device is placed in the test fixture. The capacitive sensors are read without the test pattern membrane, storing as a set of baseline measurements. The test pattern membrane is placed on the unit to be tested. The test pattern membrane has a plurality of conductive areas on a non-conductive substrate. The conductive areas are arranged in a pattern that corresponds to the pattern of capacitive sensors. The sensors are read again to obtain a set of stimulated measurements. Differences for each of the sensors are determined between the sensor readings with and without the test pattern membrane in place. This difference is compared to a threshold. A sensor is considered to be functioning properly if the difference value is greater than the sensor's threshold value. |
| US09350342B2 |
System and method for generating an auxiliary voltage
In accordance with an embodiment, a circuit includes a first normally-on transistor having a drain coupled to a first switching output node, a normally-off transistor having a drain coupled to a source of the first normally-on transistor, a driver circuit configured to receive a switching signal, the driver circuit having an output coupled to a gate of the first normally-on transistor, and a second normally-on transistor having a drain terminal coupled to a supply node, a gate terminal coupled to the output of the driver circuit, and a source terminal configured to provide an auxiliary voltage. |
| US09350341B2 |
Gate driver, switch control circuit and power supply device comprising the gate driver circuit
The present invention relates to a gate driving circuit, a switch control circuit including the gate driving circuit, and a power supply. The gate driving circuit generates a gate voltage of the power switch. The gate driving circuit includes: a delay control circuit generating a first control signal that controls a rising slope of the gate voltage at a first time after a first delay period is passed from a rising time of the gate voltage and generating a second control signal that controls the rising slope of the gate voltage at a time after a second delay period is passed from the first time; and a temperature compensation circuit that varies the first delay period according to a temperature. |
| US09350338B2 |
Linear progression delay register
An adjustable delay line includes a series of delay elements for adjusting the accumulative delay. Each element has a plurality of registers indicating to various devices within the delay element to be ‘on’ or ‘off’, thereby changing the time delay through the element. A master control indicates to the delay line whether to go faster (increment) or go slower (decrement). When one of these control signals is applied to the delay line, it is applied to half the elements, either the odd or the even numbered elements. Only one element will have its state changed by the increment or decrement control signal, and it will be the element for which the previous delay's corresponding element is already set or un-set depending upon the applicable case. |
| US09350336B2 |
Timing compensation using the system clock
An integrated circuit including a plurality of internal clock generator circuits from which an internal clock is selected based on an external time reference. A number of cycles of internal clock signals from each of the internal clock generator circuits, or from at least one of those circuits where a frequency relationship is known, is counted relative to a system clock signal based on the external time reference. The lowest frequency internal clock signal providing at least a minimum number of cycles within the system clock period, the minimum number assuring completion of a function within a time constraint, is selected as the internal clock. Robust performance over a wide range of fabrication process parameters and operating conditions is assured. |
| US09350334B2 |
Nonvolatile latch circuit and logic circuit, and semiconductor device using the same
To provide a novel nonvolatile latch circuit and a semiconductor device using the nonvolatile latch circuit, a nonvolatile latch circuit includes a latch portion having a loop structure where an output of a first element is electrically connected to an input of a second element, and an output of the second element is electrically connected to an input of the first element; and a data holding portion for holding data of the latch portion. In the data holding portion, a transistor using an oxide semiconductor as a semiconductor material for forming a channel formation region is used as a switching element. In addition, an inverter electrically connected to a source electrode or a drain electrode of the transistor is included. With the transistor, data held in the latch portion can be written into a gate capacitor of the inverter or a capacitor which is separately provided. |
| US09350330B2 |
Physical unclonable function
A physical unclonable function is provided 100, comprising a plurality of bus-keepers 110, each bus-keeper of the plurality of bus-keepers 110 being configured to settle into one of at least two different stable states upon power-up, the particular stable state into which a particular bus-keeper of the plurality of bus-keepers settles being dependent at least in part upon the at least partially random physical characteristics of the particular bus-keeper, and a reading circuit 120 for reading the plurality of stable states into which the plurality of bus-keepers settled after a power-up, the plurality of bus-keepers being read-only. |
| US09350329B2 |
Semiconductor device to block a noise flowing ground terminal
An electronic system may include a first circuit driven by a first power voltage signal and a first ground voltage signal, and a second circuit driven by a second power voltage signal and a second ground voltage signal. The electronic system may also include a stabilizer coupled between a first ground terminal and a second ground terminal and suitable for blocking a current flowing from the second ground terminal toward the first ground terminal. |
| US09350325B2 |
Reduced dynamic power D flip-flop
A CMOS D-type flip flop (D-FF) exhibits reduced power consumption by selectively disabling certain charging/discharging operations at specific circuit elements to minimize the capacitance of the circuit's internal nodes using a partial signaling technique. A clock inverter module may be used to provide a partial inverse clock signal that is the complement of a clock signal when a non-clock dependent input to the clock inverter module has a first value and to provide a fixed signal when the non-clock dependent signal has a second value. One or more MOSFETs controlled by the partial inverse clock signal do not charge or discharge when the non-clock dependent signal has the second value. |
| US09350324B2 |
MCML retention flip-flop/latch for low power applications
The present disclosure relates to a device and method to reduce the dynamic/static power consumption of an MCML logic device. In order to retain register contents during power off mode, an MCML retention latch and flip-flop are disclosed. Retention Latch circuits in MCML architecture are used to retain critical register contents during power off mode, wherein combination logic including clock buffers on the clock tree paths are powered off to reduce dynamic/static power consumption. The MCML retention flip-flop comprises a master latch and a slave latch, wherein a power switch is added to the master latch to power the master latch off during power off mode. The slave latch includes pull-down circuits that remain active to enable the slave latch to retain data at a proper voltage level during power off mode. Other devices and methods are also disclosed. |
| US09350322B2 |
Signal output device, communication system, signal output method, and communication method
A signal output device, in a signal level non-transition period, matches an output impedance of an output section to a characteristic impedance of an output transmission path, and also matches the output impedance of the output section to the characteristic impedance of the output transmission path in a signal level transition period in a case in which a second bit of output-target data is a first value, and generates a mismatch between the output impedance of the output section and the characteristic impedance of the output transmission path in the signal level transition period in a case in which the second bit of the output-target data is a second value, so as to cause generation of a change in waveform in an output signal in the signal level transition period such that an absolute value of a signal level of the output signal exceeds a preset threshold value. |